Lectures, seminars (case studies), group discussions, workshops, excursions, home study, networking

General focus and aim is to provide the post-masters students with general knowledge of art conservation, preservation of collections and collection management, with a special focus on modern and contemporary art, and an emphasis on material analysis.

Specific objectives:
• To obtain understanding of the theory and the practice of (modern) art conservation as a discipline and profession
• To get acquainted with applied scientific research and conservation science
• To recognise the debates and controversies in contemporary art conservation. scientific research and its applications may raise in cultural contexts.
• To learn about preventive conservation, packing and transport of modern art
• To understand the complexity of installation art, digital art, immaterial aspects
• To learn about the artist interview as a tool to gather information on artworks

The core of the course is a series of lectures and sessions, taking place both in Maastricht at the SRAL studios and laboratory, and in Ghent.

Lectures on case studies and methodology and thematic workshops cover the main items and issues in collection management and conservation of contemporary art, such as: decision-making models (development and approach), the artist interview (methodology and scenario), installation art, kinetic art, plastics (artworks case-studies and hands-on workshop), outdoor painted sculptures, Pop Art, etc.

During the course, visits are organized to museums of modern and contemporary art to learn in practice about collection management (e.g. Bonnefanten museum and Marres in Maastricht, S.M.A.K., Van Abbemuseum, Mu.ZEE, Herbert Foundation, where guided tours ‘behind the screens’ are offered, providing insight in the complex organization in caretaking of complex and vulnerable artworks).

During the course the students are given small assignments to learn about the decision-making process in restoration.

The students are required to prepare a written research paper and simultaneously give a twenty-minute presentation for their fellow students. The outcomes are discussed in group sessions, while the paper and presentation together are the final assignment for the grading of the student.

Meeting the programme’s admission requirements.

The students have basic knowledge about:
- conservation ethics
- preventive conservation
- collection management, registration and documentation systems
- issues in modern art conservation
- contemporary art conservation strategies (installations, new media etc.)
- artist interviews and the interview scenario as a methodology
- ways to involve the artist in decision-making processes

The students are capable of weighing different options and make informed decisions after listing pros and cons between presentation and conservation of contemporary artworks. They can critically reflect on the choices made, build their own network and are able to cooperate with collection managers, registrars, couriers, curators, scientists, artists and museum directors.

Individual (by digital appointment)

• Permanent evaluation: participation in and contributions to the lectures and meetings; participation in the practical assignments
• End-of-term assessment: an individual (PowerPoint) presentation on research into one of the topics of the course (most likely pursued during the internship), followed up by a paper, to be judged by the tutor.
• Retake during the second examination period is possible.

Presentation, reading list and personal notes. Presentations are provided digitally.

Learning materials: digital
Excursions: transportation, accommodation + admission: estimated total of 250 EUR.

Op dit opleidingsonderdeel is er geen volgtijdelijkheid van toepassing.