Live: ICOM-CC 2014

Students at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and nearby bar post-ICOM-CC, 19th September, 2014

Photographs from sessions in the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, 15th - 19th September, 2014

1. Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre

2. ICOM-CC delegates

3. Student conservators from the University of Melbourne

4. Associate professor Robyn Sloggett and Timor-Leste delegates

Cultural evening at the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, 17th September, 2014

At the exhibition opening for Warlayirti: The art of Balgo and Garnkiny: Constellations of Meaning at RMIT, 15th September 2014

One week after the ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference in Melbourne, students recall highlights from keynote address by Lyndel V. Prott, 'Comprehensive Conservation and the “Wardens of Civilisation"'. You can see an extract from her speech here. 

"Key to your work today is interdisciplinarity across many skills.  Your core values of ensuring authenticity and physical integrity of the materials which are the subject of your work are a gift to the world."

"The world has changed since the profession of conservator/restorer was first described.  We live today in a pluralistic and globalised world, infused by the needs of local and special interest communities [1].  Indigenous peoples, disadvantaged communities and minorities are now able to express their interests and to demand the preservation of their cultural heritage.  The support of professionals, who may live and work far from those communities, is essential to the survival of many cultural manifestations which these communities may be helpless to protect."

"The Conservator-restorer can no longer remain within the laboratory or the workshop and fully serve the profession.  Without the support of cultural professionals much, much more will be lost."

"The immense social contribution of conservator-restorers of the cultural heritage is worth celebrating.  Their work has ensured the continuance of threatened cultures, the integrity of the history of many significant cultural achievements and been responsible for today’s high quality preservation of delicate things.  Conservation and restoration have permitted us in the 21st century to ensure the survival of many of the gifts of past civilisations."

"While we are not embroiled in any official war between States, we are involved deeply, as citizens of the world and as loving preservers of the world’s greatest heritages, in a most serious campaign to prevent the wanton, the deliberate, or the negligent destruction of many cultural artefacts and sites.  We need to fight these actions with all our might."

"Many of you work on materials brought to your workshops from distant countries.  Others of you go to work in distant countries or to remote communities in order to help them preserve their threatened heritage, tangible and intangible.  Some of that heritage would have already disappeared had not committed individuals or groups undertaken substantial work with such communities to protect their cultural icons and ensure their survival."

"What we are all engaged in today is “comprehensive conservation”.  Every sort of valuable cultural object or monument is subject to threat and needs preservation.  That is one kind of comprehensive activity.  There is also an incredible variety of material which needs specialist care – that is another kind of comprehensive activity.  And then there are the myriad ways in which those who care about conservation can push for better care of precious materials, engaging governments, seeking corporation sponsors, helping struggling communities in remote areas, giving practical help on the ground after natural disasters and the dire results of conflict.  That too is comprehensive conservation."

 - Lyndel V. Prott, 15th September, 2014

Students from the University of Melbourne celebrate at the Boatbuilders Arms, 19th Sept. 2014

And what is the comparison between graduate expectations and reality of employment within 6 months of graduating?

The reality was that short term contracts and internships were more achievable than long term contract. 27% of graduates ended up in non museum related work.