Working at Vancouver's Museum of Anthropology

Mount Making done for the Museum of Anthropology involved many aspects of my skill set and required the development and implementation of new ones as well. A key aspect of the work required high levels of cultural sensitivity, communication, supervision, training and cooperation skills in collaborating with the teams of Conservators, Curators, Artists, Directors, Volunteers, IT, Digitization, Movers/Handlers, Security, Safety Officers, Exhibition Designers, Contractors and Specialized interest groups.

The work required the safe and careful handling and temporary support of artifacts to assess their condition and structural integrity for the purpose of measuring and designing a mount system specifically appropriate for the given object. The conservation, secure support and stabilization of the artifact were paramount, with a secondary mandate to make the mount as unobtrusive and invisible as technically possible. A specialized workshop/laboratory area with material and equipment specific to the custom fabrication of unique mounting systems was set up and maintained. A variety of material such as metals, plastics, foams rubbers, papers and fabric were implemented in the fabrication process. Equipment ranged from welding torches to needle and thread.

 

An artifact mounting system is a structure that allows the object to be stored or put on display with conservation in mind. The mount may take many forms. It can be a wire or locking bracket system for the back of a painting/panel or it may take the form of a very delicate metal and plastic armature that supports a tiny glass object. It can be a large metal post and brace that is connected to a concrete surface to secure a heavy wooden carving or it can be a acid free mat board tray with a foam liner that cradles a spear head. All the unique systems are designed to stabilizes and support the artifact and make it most visible and easy to handle for the researcher or public. 

The Renewal Project at the Museum of Anthropology was one of the most inspiring and rewarding team efforts that I have had the privilege of being associated with.