Playing and Operating: Functionality in Museum objects and instruments
The value of objects and instruments resides as much in their physical supports, that must be preserved, as in the representation of the cultural networks of meanings and interactions of which they were part. For some types of objects, this includes a particularly strong ‘performative’ element, where the object is a tool to accomplish an action. Musical instruments, vehicles, clocks and watches, machinery and objects of science and technology are few of the most obvious examples of this type of functional objects that are fully understood when they are played or operated.
For decades, museum approaches have been divided between preserving the capability of the object to operate and emphasizing the preservation of its material support. This conference aims at offering a platform to discuss and compare current approaches regarding the preservation and interpretation of functional objects, comparing practices across collections, institutions and countries. It is hoped that, by highlighting overlaps and differences, it will be possible to develop a greater understanding of the practical and ethical reasons that inform different policies.
PRESENTATION, JOINT CONFERENCE, CIMUSET-CIMCIM (ICOM)
- I. Tissota, M.C. Lourençob, M. Lemosc, M. Tissotc, B. O. Alvesd, M. Mansoa. 2020. "Can it work? Analytical strategies for the conservation of historical operating objects”, Playing and Operating: Functionality in Museum objects and instruments, Joint Conference CIMUSETe-CIMCIMf (ICOMg), Cité de la Musique - Philharmonie de Paris, 4-6 February, France.
a LIBPhys, NOVA University Lisbon b Portuguese National Museum of Natural History and Science
c Archeofactu d Welding and Quality Institute
e CIMUSET - International Committee for Museus of Science & Technology
f CIMCIM - International Committee for Museus and Collections of Music
g ICOM - International Council of Museums
