The project is a continuation of the successful pilot Project Collectiekennis 2.0/Plastics (2017-2019), that focused on the identification and conservation of various types of plastic, used in art and design objects. The project ‘Project Collection Knowledge 2.0 / Photography’ will run from October 1st 2020 until October 1st 2023 and is financially supported by the Gieskes-Strijbis Foundation, the Mondrian Fund, UvA, RCE and the Wertheimer Foundation, managed by the Prins Bernhard Culture Foundation.

It is impossible to imagine collections of modern and contemporary art without photographic works. Museums are increasingly in need of expertise to preserve both analogue and digital (colour) photographs. Expertise on printing processes, finishing techniques, photographic paper and supports as well as correct terminology is often lacking within Dutch museums. What are the best ways to store and exhibit photographs whilst preserving them for the future?

Identification ‘on the job’

In this collaborative project, lead by the SBMK and the UvA, partners will develop, share and implement practical knowledge to improve collection care, visibility and accessibility of photographic art works. Participating museum staff will learn ‘on the job’ about materials and techniques and how to identify photographic works in their own collection. On the basis of their experiences, a digital tool will be developed and tested, and further research will be conducted. As a result each of the participating museums will have a sub-collection of surveyed, identified and well-registered photographic works. Key outcomes of the project will be the aforementioned digital platform with information on the most common and/or problematic printing processes, finishing techniques, photographic papers and supports of both analogue and digital photography, as well as a physical set of reference material samples of many of the past and current photographic processes that are found in museum collections today.

Implementing the knowledge gained

During the project, under the guidance of the UvA and the Cultural Heritage Laboratory of RCE, two young professionals will be trained to specialize in the preservation of photography. Research will be carried out by students from the Master Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage at the UvA. Lectures and seminars to disseminate knowledge learned will be organised for the public. The digital platform will be freely available, in both Dutch and English, to anyone interested in the preservation of photographs. The outcomes of this project will be applicable to collections worldwide. The project concludes with a public symposium during which the outcomes and results will be presented.

Partners

The ‘Project Photography’ is coordinated by the SBMK together with the UvA. Thirteen organisations having a modern photography collection are partners; Amsterdam Museum, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Bonnefanten, De Domijnen, Frans Hals Museum| De Hallen, Het Nieuwe Instituut, Huis Marseille, Kröller-Müller Museum, Kunstmuseum Den Haag / Fotomuseum Den Haag, Stichting Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, Rabo Artcollection and RCE-Artcollections. Advisory partners are Rijksmuseum, NICAS, National Archives en Nederlands Fotomuseum.