Last week I was fortunate enough to work a Conservators Symposium at the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts. The current exhibition at the Pulitzer is a compilation of Buddhist art called Reflections of the Buddha and is the result of two years of careful planning and research. It came as no surprise to me that a show which has resulted in some of our highest visitor numbers had also peaked the interest of several experts in the fields of conservation and Buddhist art and history. Like snails to the brow of the meditating Buddha they came, all eager to attain enlightenment and share knowledge. For two days they sat (not under a tree but in folding chairs) and gave presentations on many of the artworks. Each presentation was followed by an exchange questions, answers, and new theories. All attendees commented on having a wonderful time and I believe all left with the enlightenment they were hoping to attain.
The invited participants weren't the only ones to leave more enlightened. I specifically requested to attended the symposium because I knew, based on past symposiums, that a wealth of knowledge could be derived from this event. So yes, I am also one of the snails eager to ascend onto the forehead of the Buddha. I anticipated that this would be a great opportunity to learn more about Buddhist art, which I could then turn around and share with our visitors. Events like these do tend to be very exclusive and unfortunately are not open to the public. This is for a good reason, though. Scholars tend to react better to each others' questions and they challenge one another into new ways of thinking in order to solve problems and answer questions. I view my role in this event as twofold; first I secure the space and safety of the art and our guests, and second I represent the needs and the curiosity of our visitors. In other words, I learn all I can in order to create learning opportunities for others.
And I did learn a lot. I now better understand the construction of the Amitabha Buddha in our Entrance Gallery, how the Korean figures in the Lower Gallery were gilt, what a textile conservator can and cannot do to help preserve the Mandalas in the Cube Gallery, what is typical of a Chinese sculpture from a cave sanctuary, what Indian representations of the Shakyamuni Buddha look like, and more. Symposiums like this are great because they enable experts to gather and learn from each other as well as generate new ideas and scholarship for their fields. They are also great for me because I learn and get paid for it.
I believe that symposiums are an important activity that all museums should try to engage in, but not just for the scholars. I think symposiums are also a great opportunity for staff, such as myself, to learn more and pass it on to the visitor. Since the primary concern of all museums, and all scholars, should be the gathering and sharing of information with the public, then perhaps more symposiums should be open. If not to the public then to the staff which are capable of communicating new ideas to the public.
What do you think? Does your museum have programs like a symposium? If so, what is done to share information from these events with your visitors?
The invited participants weren't the only ones to leave more enlightened. I specifically requested to attended the symposium because I knew, based on past symposiums, that a wealth of knowledge could be derived from this event. So yes, I am also one of the snails eager to ascend onto the forehead of the Buddha. I anticipated that this would be a great opportunity to learn more about Buddhist art, which I could then turn around and share with our visitors. Events like these do tend to be very exclusive and unfortunately are not open to the public. This is for a good reason, though. Scholars tend to react better to each others' questions and they challenge one another into new ways of thinking in order to solve problems and answer questions. I view my role in this event as twofold; first I secure the space and safety of the art and our guests, and second I represent the needs and the curiosity of our visitors. In other words, I learn all I can in order to create learning opportunities for others.
And I did learn a lot. I now better understand the construction of the Amitabha Buddha in our Entrance Gallery, how the Korean figures in the Lower Gallery were gilt, what a textile conservator can and cannot do to help preserve the Mandalas in the Cube Gallery, what is typical of a Chinese sculpture from a cave sanctuary, what Indian representations of the Shakyamuni Buddha look like, and more. Symposiums like this are great because they enable experts to gather and learn from each other as well as generate new ideas and scholarship for their fields. They are also great for me because I learn and get paid for it.
I believe that symposiums are an important activity that all museums should try to engage in, but not just for the scholars. I think symposiums are also a great opportunity for staff, such as myself, to learn more and pass it on to the visitor. Since the primary concern of all museums, and all scholars, should be the gathering and sharing of information with the public, then perhaps more symposiums should be open. If not to the public then to the staff which are capable of communicating new ideas to the public.
What do you think? Does your museum have programs like a symposium? If so, what is done to share information from these events with your visitors?
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