CollAsia in the ICCROM Newslette · twenty-one conservation professionals from Asia and Europe came together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a three ... their appreciation of the Other

1

CollAsia in the ICCROM

Newsletter 2002-2011

Participants proudly sign the

banner they prepared for the

Preventive Conservation

Strategies workshop in

ICCROM NEWSLETTER N. 28

_________________________________________________________

Patcharawee Tunprawat is a project

Bangkok, actively involved with ICCROM in the development

comments:

Encouraging synergies and co-ordinating efforts

The ICCROM-SPAFA workshop on Conservation Strategies for Collections

gathered collections professionals together

private and government organizations together to collaborate

an action plan have never been made

before, as most organizations work in isolation or collaborate only with

contacts. The first step was to send out

museums and organizations, both public and private,

region, and promote the event as widely as possible. A

the announcement to provide us with an

charge. Offering this opportunity to a

audience was an innovative

participants in courses are

country. Sixty questionnaires were

returned by applicants

museums and universities.

importance

institutions inside and

Department and UNESCO also expressed

interest in the project.


_________________________________________________________

CRAFTS AND CONSERVATION. Flexible materials in Asian collections

Flexibility can be a tricky business. Dresses looking like flowing streams of fabric become stiff and brittle in their core,

whereas baskets with a sturdy aspect can droop unexpectedly beyond repair.

through the centuries a rich variety of costumes, fans, masks, baskets, puppets, kites and other objects for which

flexibility is critical both as an inherent characteristic and as an issue in the deterioration pro

Addressing the causes, significance and consequences of flexibility

discuss issues beyond the specificity of a given material, and to explore the nature of often complex

twenty-one conservation professionals from Asia and Europe came together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a three

N. 28 – SEPTEMBER 2002

_________________________________________________________

specialist at SEAMEO-SPAFA Regional Centre for Archaeology

with ICCROM in the development of a regional strategy for co

ordinating efforts.

Conservation Strategies for Collections in Southeast Asia

collections professionals together from all over the region. Efforts to bring both

organizations together to collaborate as a team as well as share

in isolation or collaborate only with their own

The first step was to send out numerous announcements to all the different

both public and private, concerned with collections in the

widely as possible. A questionnaire was enclosed with

to provide us with an overview of current collections and staff in their

Offering this opportunity to a much wider

audience was an innovative approach for SPAFA, where

participants in courses are usually nominated by each

Sixty questionnaires were completed and

rned by applicants from all levels ranging from private organizations to government

museums and universities. The positive response indicated

importance of regional strategies and sharing their experience with others.

institutions inside and outside the region such as INTACH

Department and UNESCO also expressed

interest in the project.

ICCROM NEWSLETTER N. 29 – JUNE 2003

_________________________________________________________

Flexible materials in Asian collections.


whereas baskets with a sturdy aspect can droop unexpectedly beyond repair. Asian cultures and peoples have produced


flexibility is critical both as an inherent characteristic and as an issue in the deterioration pro

Addressing the causes, significance and consequences of flexibility behavior in objects provided an opportunity to

discuss issues beyond the specificity of a given material, and to explore the nature of often complex

one conservation professionals from Asia and Europe came together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a three

2

The banner spells out the words

Preventive conservation in nine of

the many languages spoken in

Southeast Asia.

_________________________________________________________

Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts,

collections in Southeast Asia. She

in Southeast Asia

bring both

as a team as well as share

their own

the different

concerned with collections in the

was enclosed with

and staff in their

private organizations to government

The positive response indicated their appreciation of the

sharing their experience with others. Other

outside the region such as INTACH in India, the Thai Fine Arts

_________________________________________________________


Asian cultures and peoples have produced


flexibility is critical both as an inherent characteristic and as an issue in the deterioration processes affecting them.

in objects provided an opportunity to

discuss issues beyond the specificity of a given material, and to explore the nature of often complex artifacts. A group of

one conservation professionals from Asia and Europe came together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a three-

New Southeast Asia Programme.

In 2004, ICCROM is launching a new seven year regional programme in Southeast Asia (CollAsia 2010), in collaboration

with the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts, Bangkok, Thailand. Its aim is to improve conservation

conditions of Southeast Asian heritage collections, b

international course on flexible materials in Asian collections held in Malaysia in 2003. Further information on programme

activities can be obtained from the Collections

Flexible materials in Asian

collections.

An international course on

Flexible materials in Asian

collections, conservation,

presentation and use took place

in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 7–25

April, 2003. The course was

organized by ASEMUS (Asia-

Europe Museums Network)

with the support of the

Department of Museums and

Antiquities, Malaysia, and the

Swedish National Museums of

World Culture, and by ASEF

(Asia- Europe Foundation) and

ICCROM. The course focused on

flexible materials, in particular

basketry, fibres, textiles and

leather. It also offered

opportunities to review and

exchange information about

craft-based traditions, and to

discuss applications in specific

contexts.

week course in April, 2003. The event was structured around three modules dedicated to three themes: understanding

our objects, understanding mechanisms of change, and devising supports for objects in various contexts such as storage

and exhibition. All conservation action must be based on an understanding of the

the first week of the course the concept o

this object? How

happened to it and when? Participants, working in pairs with a different colleague

every day, came to see how enriching the pooling of knowledge can be. It also

became evident how

about an artifact and its condition, as a guiding element for action, and as part of the

documentation accompanying the collection in an institution. The issue of how we

can understand mechani

materials and structures in relation to changes in humidity was chosen as an

example. Groups of participants devised experimental set

recording the

frequently used in Asian collections. Valuable

sophisticated equipment if the method is sound and carried out in a systematic way.

Likewise, the importance of working together with

specialist craftsmen in analyzing the

produce an

insight to the nature of this heritage.

addressed the principles of supporting flexible materials in

both storage and in exhib

key characteristics of materials commonly used in museum

contexts and explored the potential to use local materials

readily available in Malaysian markets. They also built

prototypes for supporting structures which were di

in a small exhibition set up during a one

organized

face contact between professionals

types of collecti

unique opportunity for forging a network of professionals

that will continue to strengthen the work already being carried out on Asian heritage. Most importantly, through the

interactive programme of the course, we all learnt

professionals, and developed the capacity to work in teams and to continue learning as a core aspect of our professional

identity. The workshop was the first time that

ICCROM activity. The generosity and professionalism of our Malaysian colleagues offered a perfect venue for a training

activity and a unique opportunity for colleagues from fellow ICCROM Mem

traditions and museum community of Malaysia.


_________________________________________________________

new seven year regional programme in Southeast Asia (CollAsia 2010), in collaboration


conditions of Southeast Asian heritage collections, building on the success of previous activities in the region, such as the


activities can be obtained from the Collections Unit([email protected]).


ing mechanisms of change, and devising supports for objects in various contexts such as storage

and exhibition. All conservation action must be based on an understanding of the artifact

the first week of the course the concept of “object biography” was used as a framework for shaping our ideas. What is

this object? How did it come about? Why is it the way it is today? What has



became evident how important it is to record our assessment



can understand mechanisms of change is also important. The


example. Groups of participants devised experimental set

recording the behavior of bamboo, rattan, pandanus

frequently used in Asian collections. Valuable information



cialist craftsmen in analyzing the techniques used to

produce an artifact was highlighted as a crucial source of

insight to the nature of this heritage. The course also


both storage and in exhibition. Participants discussed the




prototypes for supporting structures which were displayed

in a small exhibition set up during a one-day open seminar

organized for the Malaysian museum community. Face

face contact between professionals working with

types of collections in different parts of the world offers a



we all learnt about the flexibility not only of the artifacts

the capacity to work in teams and to continue learning as a core aspect of our professional

identity. The workshop was the first time that the Malaysian Department of Antiquities and Museums has hosted an


activity and a unique opportunity for colleagues from fellow ICCROM Member States to explore the rich heritage, craft

traditions and museum community of Malaysia.


_________________________________________________________

3

new seven year regional programme in Southeast Asia (CollAsia 2010), in collaboration


uilding on the success of previous activities in the region, such as the


).

Malaysian textile,

Malaysia Craft

Complex, Kuala Lumpur


ing mechanisms of change, and devising supports for objects in various contexts such as storage

artifact we are dealing with. During

f “object biography” was used as a framework for shaping our ideas. What is

did it come about? Why is it the way it is today? What has



important it is to record our assessment of what is significant



important. The behavior of different


example. Groups of participants devised experimental set-ups for observing and

pandanus leaf and other materials

information can be collected without



techniques used to

was highlighted as a crucial source of

The course also


ition. Participants discussed the




splayed

day open seminar

community. Face-to-

working with similar

ons in different parts of the world offers a



artifacts but also of ourselves as

the capacity to work in teams and to continue learning as a core aspect of our professional

the Malaysian Department of Antiquities and Museums has hosted an


ber States to explore the rich heritage, craft

_________________________________________________________

4

CollAsia 2010

The CollAsia 2010 programme, launched at

ICCROM’s General Assembly in 2003, is a 7-year

programme aimed at improving conservation

conditions of Southeast Asian heritage collections.

It is being implemented in partnership with SPAFA,

the SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and

Fine Arts, based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Reinforcing the network of conservation and

heritage professionals in Southeast Asia, building

bridges between heritage institutions in the region

and beyond, while offering new training

opportunities for Southeast Asian professionals,

are the key objectives of the programme.

Now in its second year, CollAsia 2010 has

successfully mobilized support from institutions in

Southeast Asia, as well as from the Getty

Foundation. Following the holding of an

international course on conservation and

exhibition of Southeast Asian collections, and the

launching of the CollAsia 2010 website, we are in

the process of building a platform for

professionals and institutions working in the

conservation field to exchange and share

resources. Future training activities include an

international course focusing specifically on the

conservation of Southeast Asian textiles as well as

a sub-regional project to take place in 2006.

We invite all interested parties to consult the

CollAsia 2010 web site at www.collasia2010.org to

learn more about the goals of CollAsia 2010,

forthcoming training activities, as well as staff

development opportunities.


_________________________________________________________

COLLASIA 2010

Museum collections in Southeast Asia by Katriina Similå, ICCROM

There is more than meets the eye to a museum exhibition, as the

twenty participants of the three-week international course on

‘Conservation and Exhibition of Southeast Asian Collections’

discovered in Bangkok in January 2005. The first international

event of the CollAsia 2010 programme brought to Thailand

expertise from the region and beyond, using the networks of

SEAMEO-SPAFA and ICCROM to identify and mobilize current

thinking in this field.

For museums around the world, exhibitions have always been key

moments for interacting with society at large. The fruits of

collecting and research are brought to the public, and the

exhibition activities offer a natural setting for education

programmes. For many objects in the collection, exhibitions are

the occasion when they receive individual attention, and often

decisions about major interventive treatments are made.

As museums explore new avenues for defining their role in

society, fresh opportunities arise for revisiting the relationships

between the different facets of their work, including exhibitions

and conservation. During the workshop in Bangkok, the

interactive working method showed time and again during the

different sessions that there is no single solution to exhibiting an

object or a concept. Choices we make about the presentation and

preservation of our heritage gain strength when brought about by

teamwork, pooling the skills and insights of the different museum

professionals within the institution.

The development of the conservation field has added

tremendously to the options available for planning and building

safe exhibitions. It is crucial that museums do not see an

exhibition as a static product, brought about by isolated inputs of

members of staff. An exhibition is a process, in which the

planning, preparation and maintenance actions call for

collaboration and joint effort from a variety of actors. The efforts

made in setting up such processes ultimately lead to a meaningful

and more economic use of resources, as well as to a revitalized

approach to the possibilities of reinterpreting and sharing the heritage with the community. A shared understanding of

the goals and message of the exhibition, and of the qualities aimed for in the exhibition process, make the most of

everyone’s contribution, from the museum director to the showcase builder. Just as materials change in time, the

significance attributed to objects changes. The institutional mission of the museum sets the basis for formulating the

identity of an object within that context. A central national museum, a private thematic collection, a historic house and a

temple may all have a different, equally valid reason for including the same object in their collection. These reasons

Course participants examine

a traditional puppet in the

Dutch National Museum of

Ethnography.

inform the definition of those characteristics that are the most

actions. In establishing conservation plans, the questions of ‘how’ and ‘why’ are in constant dialogue. Moreover,

developments within and beyond the museum itself shape the significance of its collec

layers of meaning and importance as time goes by. In a globalized world, this process takes place in an ever

geographic and intercultural sphere.

This work will gain strength from the strong identification that Asian

age-old practices of both caring for and appreciating it. Equally important, the cutting edge technological development

underway in different parts of the region will be a unique resource for the museum co

and applied technical solutions customized to the defined goals.

Southeast Asia has a precious and rich

especially poignant moment for discussing the

significance of heritage and the role it can have in

society. The tsunami that hit the region with devastation

in the final days of 2004 galvanized all sectors of society

to participate in a shared effort. In the long years of

recovery and reconstruction to come, the museums will

not only face formidable challenges in addressing the

damage caused by the tsunami to heritage, but more

importantly will have to ensure that heritage plays its

role in healing the society left traumatized by that

disaster.


_________________________________________________________

COLLASIA 2010: Professionals on the MoveKatriina Similä (ICCROM)

The solid and rooted atmosphere of museums often makes us forget how far many of the

objects in the collections have travelled. The history of material culture is also a history of

movement: things have been sent, shipped, sold or

surprising locations. Without forgetting the deep tragedy of looted heritage, which has left

serious scars on the cultural identity of peoples around the world, the richness of the

stories embedded in the travels of mater

programme is also putting the professionals involved in conserving this heritage on the

move. Since 2002, five activities have mobilized over one hundred professionals within the

Southeast

opportunitie

shaping sound and sustainable conservation actions. While there are many regional

mechanisms of international co

engaged the conservation professionals. The CollAsia 2010 workshops, or

different countries in collaboration with local her

opportunities for profession

The CollAsia workshop group visiting the Wat Pho Temple, Bangkok,

where they were received by the Deputy Abbot

inform the definition of those characteristics that are the most important ones to be taken into account in conservation


developments within and beyond the museum itself shape the significance of its collec

layers of meaning and importance as time goes by. In a globalized world, this process takes place in an ever

This work will gain strength from the strong identification that Asian communities have with their heritage, and from the

old practices of both caring for and appreciating it. Equally important, the cutting edge technological development

underway in different parts of the region will be a unique resource for the museum community, allowing for innovative

and applied technical solutions customized to the defined goals.

Southeast Asia has a precious and rich heritage which can be found in a variety of settings. January 2005 was an

especially poignant moment for discussing the

significance of heritage and the role it can have in

society. The tsunami that hit the region with devastation

all sectors of society

to participate in a shared effort. In the long years of

recovery and reconstruction to come, the museums will

not only face formidable challenges in addressing the

damage caused by the tsunami to heritage, but more

antly will have to ensure that heritage plays its

role in healing the society left traumatized by that


_________________________________________________________

COLLASIA 2010: Professionals on the Move



movement: things have been sent, shipped, sold or lost, ending up sometimes in very



stories embedded in the travels of material culture is a deep resource. The CollAsia 2010



Asian countries and beyond. Workshops and other activities have provided

opportunities for groups of up to twenty-five colleagues to discuss issues relevant to


mechanisms of international collaboration in Southeast Asia, so far very few of them have

engaged the conservation professionals. The CollAsia 2010 workshops, or

erent countries in collaboration with local heritage institutions, off

opportunities for professionals to learn more about the material culture in its diff

5

The CollAsia workshop group visiting the Wat Pho Temple, Bangkok,

where they were received by the Deputy Abbot.

important ones to be taken into account in conservation


developments within and beyond the museum itself shape the significance of its collections, adding and subtracting

layers of meaning and importance as time goes by. In a globalized world, this process takes place in an ever-widening

communities have with their heritage, and from the

old practices of both caring for and appreciating it. Equally important, the cutting edge technological development

mmunity, allowing for innovative

heritage which can be found in a variety of settings. January 2005 was an

_________________________________________________________



lost, ending up sometimes in very



ial culture is a deep resource. The CollAsia 2010



and beyond. Workshops and other activities have provided

ve colleagues to discuss issues relevant to


llaboration in Southeast Asia, so far very few of them have

engaged the conservation professionals. The CollAsia 2010 workshops, organized in

itage institutions, offer precious

he material culture in its different

6

CollAsia 2010

CollAsia 2010 is a seven-year

programme aimed at improving the

conservation conditions of Southeast

Asian heritage Collections. The

countries in the programme are Brunei

Darussalam,

Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR,

Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines,

Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The

programme is jointly implemented by

ICCROM and SPAFA (SEAMEO Regional

Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts),

based in Bangkok, Thailand. The

CollAsia 2010 programme’s objectives

are:

• increased awareness and knowledge

about objects in Asian collections

(materials, construction methods,

sensitivity, and conservation);

• increased capacity of institutions and

increased resources for professionals

to implement conservation strategies,

including local preventive conservation

initiatives;

• functional tools to support the

dynamic development and interaction

of regional networks of institutions and

professionals.

The third CollAsia 2010 course took

place in Manila in May, 2006. Its topic

was the crucial issue of storage in

museums, libraries and archives.

forms and in varied context.

Today, there is still very little published literature on conservation of Southeast Asian movable heritage. This makes the

experience that individual professionals have gained by working with

collections in their institutions a crucial resource for building the knowledge

base of the profession in the region. The didactic approach of the workshops,

focusing on problem solving and an interactive learning environment, has

highlighted the potential of professional exchange as a key element for

shaping a shared understanding of the specify city of Southeast Asian

collections. In August 2005, the CollAsia 2010 workshop on ‘Conservation of

textiles in Southeast Asian collections’ took place in Leiden, Netherlands. The

Dutch National Museum of Ethnography houses extremely important

collections from Asia. For colleagues working on the preservation of this

heritage, both in Leiden and in Southeast Asia, the workshop offered an

important opportunity to discuss approaches to meeting the challenges they

face in their work. Furthermore, the Netherlands was also the host for the

Triennial meeting of the ICOM-CC (International Council of Museums –

Committee for Conservation) in 2005. The CollAsia workshop was timed to

culminate in the whole group participating in the ICOM-CC meeting in The

Hague. Twenty-two of the twenty-five ICOM-CC conference participants from

Southeast Asia took part in the event thanks to the professional development

component of the CollAsia 2010 programme. While this is still too few to

represent a region of 600 million people in a gathering of over 900

professionals, such participation was an important step forward in integrating

Southeast Asian professionals with the international community of

colleagues. Taking part in the specialized working groups of the ICOM-CC,

which cover subjects ranging from ‘Theory and history of restoration’ to ‘Wet

organic and archaeological materials’, is a concrete way of contributing to the

development of the profession in Southeast Asia. It is to be hoped that in the

years to come the heritage institutions in Southeast Asia will make the most

of such professional meetings to further the development of their staff: they

are important occasions for affirming the presence and relevance of

Southeast Asian museums to international discussions on the future of

conservation actions. In this world of things that do not stay in one place, the

international gathering in the Netherlands provided valuable contacts with

colleagues from those countries which produced some of the objects that

have ended up in collections in even the remotest corners of Southeast Asia.

Taking care of this material culture wherever it finds itself today is a shared challenge of the heritage professionals

worldwide. Movable heritage has travelled back and forth between regions of the world, taking stories and messages of

the cultures of origin with it, expressing in multiple ways the richness of diversity. It is to be hoped that the community

of conservation is one more platform for meaningful and helpful dialogue between cultures and people. In pursuing its

aim of improving the conditions for the conservation of collections in Southeast Asia, the CollAsia 2010 programme is

committed to contributing to this process.

7

CollAsia 2010

CollAsia 2010 is a seven year programme

aimed at improving the conservation

conditions of Southeast Asian heritage

collections. The target countries of the

programme are Brunei Darussalam,

Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,

Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore,

Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. The

programme is jointly implemented by

ICCROM and SPAFA (SEAMEO Regional

Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts),

based in Bangkok, Thailand. The CollAsia

2010 programme’s objectives are:

increased awareness and knowledge

about objects in Asian collections

(materials, construction methods,

sensitivity and conservation); increased

capacity of institutions and increased

resources for professionals to

implement conservation strategies,

including local preventive conservation

initiatives; functional tools to support

the dynamic development and

interaction of regional networks of

institutions and professionals. Please

consult the CollAsia 2010 website

(www.collasia2010.org) for updates on

recent events, didactic resources, and

information on future activities.

Left: Participants in the field

project in Hanoi

(January 2007).

Right: Painted wood panel in

The National Museum of

Vietnamese History.


_________________________________________________________

CollAsia 2010: Teaming Up Katriina Similå (ICCROM)

Working together seems like a straightforward idea — it makes sense in

more ways than one: sharing ideas, coming up with more efficient ways to do

things, getting rid of duplication of efforts, to mention just a few. However,

we all know that efficient team work is sometimes difficult to implement, and

it is not always easy to identify the reasons why. Developing our capacity to

understand the nature of processes in our institutions and our daily work,

and trying out different approaches to building sound practices on big and

small aspects, can lead to great results. CollAsia 2010 has as one of its core

aims the strengthening of the networks in southeast Asia in order to pool

ideas and resources and revitalizing our ways of working. During the first half

of the seven-year programme, the planning and implementation of different

types of activities, as well as the interactive learning methodology of the

workshops, have addressed our capacity to work together. This is true for

institutions as well as individual professionals. Cultural differences exist not

only between countries and continents, but between professionals from

different areas of specialization and institutions, which have

developed practices and ways of thinking that are taken for granted in our

daily work. This has highlighted the importance of improving our

communication skills as a crucial element for effective and efficient team

work. In 2006, Manila in the Philippines was the venue for the CollAsia 2010

workshop on ‘Conservation of Southeast Asian Collections in Storage’, which

aimed at consolidating capacity to implement effective long-term strategies

for the adequate care and management of collections in storage. Storage is

often seen as the most passive aspect of museums and other heritage

institutions. However, objects and people move more than we think, and the

character of the institution affects what

kind of strategies are meaningful. In order to explore this as fully as possible

the workshop engaged a wide variety of partners. Two leading institutions in

the country, the National Museum of the Philippines and the University of

Santo Tomas, formed the core partnership. Sixteen different institutions

supported the event, both private and public, large and small, ranging from the Central Bank of the Philippines to the

Archdiocesan Archives of Manila, to the Asian Development Bank, and to the World Heritage site of San Agustin Church.

This international workshop also provided an opportunity for the national professional community to collaborate in new

ways and thus to learn more about the character and practices of

different institutional frameworks. In

the beginning of 2007, CollAsia 2010

continued to address the theme of

storage through the programme’s first

field project which took place in

Vietnam. It was related to a concrete

task to be performed on a real

8

collection by the end of the activity. During the five weeks in Hanoi a group of over twenty people from the region and

beyond worked together to bring about an improvement in the storage room for organic materials in the National

Museum of Vietnamese History, as well as contributing to the planning process of a new building of the Vietnam

Museum of Ethnology. The interrelation of theory and practice sessions, the groups discussions, and the hands-on work

ensured that ideas and actions were tested immediately in relation to each other. Assessing risks to the collection,

thinking about what could and should be done, elaborating a work plan and carrying it out, all in smaller or larger groups

of colleagues, was a unique opportunity for everyone involved. As the CollAsia 2010 programme looks forward to the

second half of its seven years, the experiences so far with building partnerships both within the region and beyond are a

great encouragement. Continuing to strengthen and diversify this dimension of the programme is a key component for

achieving sustainable results. The core strength of all collaboration and teamwork is a commitment to a shared vision.

As the professional community working with collections of Southeast Asian heritage continue to sharpen and

consolidate this vision, joining forces will become more and more a natural way of moving ahead.

ICCROM NEWSLETTER N. 36 – November 2009 – October 2010

_________________________________________________________

CollAsia 2010

Improving conservation conditions of Southeast Asian collections

In this culminating year for the CollAsia 2010

programme, 22 participants from the Southeast

Asian countries came together for a course on

Conservation, Communication and Community (15–

29 August 2010). This event, generously supported

by the Getty Foundation, offered us the opportunity

to be hosted once again by our key programme

partner, the SEAMEO Regional Centre for

Archaelology and Fine Arts (SEAMEOSPAFA) in

Bangkok and Phrae, Thailand. In line with the Leaders

in Conservation Education component of the

programme, the course addressed issues of planning

and delivering training activities, as well as

developing ways of engaging communities in

conservation initiatives. Conservation education related to movable heritage is a developing and dynamic sector. While

academic institutions are creating degree programmes in this field, constant professional development in museums is of

crucial importance. The attitude and communication skills of individual professionals are at the heart of this process. The

course aimed at honing both technical and conceptual skills, trying to keep in mind the specificity of both the

conservation field and the Southeast Asian

cultural context. Heritage institutions in the region are looking for ways of strengthening and diversifying the means in

which conservation actions can be shared with communities. The conservation profession must revisit and broaden its

understanding of community, and think of new ways of communicating with them as a two-way process. The

commitment of the Southeast Asian professionals to their heritage as well as to the community of their peers offers a

solid basis for a sustainable future beyond 2010!

Partners: Getty Foundation, USA; Luk Lan Muang Phrae Network (LLMP), Thailand; and SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO-SPAFA).

9

CollAsia 2010 participant feedback.

“It is good for my institution to be exposed to a more extended definition of conservation.”

“The best part was the group exercises that taught me to think in a sensitive manner while dealing

with communities.”

ICCROM NEWSLETTER N. 37 – November 2010 – October 2011

_________________________________________________________ CollAsia

Improving conservation conditions of Southeast Asian collections.

As CollAsia draws to a close, two final courses were

held in addition to a short concluding forum that

took place in Manila, Philippines in August 2011.

The first course was held in Brunei Darussalam in

March on the Conservation of Collections and

Intangible Heritage. While intangible heritage has

been given increased attention in recent years, the

structures of our heritage institutions are often not

conducive to establishing fluent links between

tangible and intangible heritage. The course traced

relationships between collections in museums and

archives with intangible heritage by exploring

community engagement, modalities of

documentation, and other challenges such as

climate change. A second course on Managing Risk from Climate Change: Southeast Asian collections in peril, took place

in May 2011 in Singapore. Participants were encouraged to see climate change not only as a challenge, but as an exciting

opportunity for revisiting museum objectives. Institutions in all sectors worldwide are revising their operational

practices and approaches to energy use. Museums will increasingly engage in this work, collaborating with specialists

from other sectors through proactive and innovative thinking. The course in Singapore explored a variety of ways in

which we can develop our communication and teamwork skills in relation to energy and resource use, cross sector

collaboration, and the analysis of deterioration agents. The final forum in Manila served as a platform to assess what has

been achieved by the programme and how we can build on those successes for the future. As CollAsia comes to an end,

ICCROM and SEAMEO-SPAFA are committed to ensuring that the programme’s results are sustainable and have a long-

term positive impact beyond

2011. Partners: Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore; Brunei Museum Department, Brunei Darussalam; Getty Foundation, United States; National Museum of the

Philippines; and SEAMEO Regional Centre for Archaeology and Fine Arts (SEAMEO-SPAFA

10

CollAsia participant feedback.

“CollAsia gives us the things we do not get in conservation and archaeological text books. CollAsia provides

insight into the values that we should hold and that we can apply in our daily life. CollAsia provides a

fundamental understanding that is essential about the importance of communication and establishing good

relationships with communities. Building trust, understanding conflict, mediation, and how to manage it helps

get the best solution for all parties in accordance with the principles of peace and truth.”

Documents

CollAsia in the ICCROM Newslette · twenty-one conservation professionals from Asia and Europe came together in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a three ... their appreciation of the Other