GSSCP 2013 was a provocative, dynamic, and broadening afternoon.

THANK YOU to our five diverse and brilliant speakers, as well as to everyone in attendance whose contributions made for such a terrific symposium. May the connections and conversation carry on!

Meanwhile, check out Sam Durant's latest project.

PROGRAM of SPEAKERS

We look forward to you joining us in LA next week!
(download pdf program here)

Ironing out the details: Implementing non-invasive methods for classifying iron corrosion in historic structures
Amy Elizabeth Uebel
Clemson University/College of Charleston, Historic Preservation

Pitfalls and hurdles: The case of Piano Della Civita in Artena
Leah Marangos
Rutgers University, Art History and Cultural Heritage and Preservation

Stayin' alive: Reconsidering the prohibition of sites associated with living persons from the National Register
Adam Rubin
The George Washington University, American Studies and Historic Preservation

(break)

Incorporating non-Western views into American preservation: Combining the American and Japanese models
Seth Hines
University of Georgia, Historic Preservation

The Garden of Defiance at the West Los Angeles VA Campus
Sarah Kozal
University of Southern California, School of Architecture, Heritage Conservation

Problems with Decomposition

Los Angeles-based artist Sam Falls' new book, Problems With Decomposition (Mörel 2012), explores processes of material decomposition via photographic capture: the affect of sunlight on paper when left in the sill, or the transformation of aluminum when exposed to the elements. In a recent New York Times review, Falls describes his work as "muddied and filled with aspects of failure. That way it’s often easier to understand.”

To Err is Human

We believe that in reflecting on and discussing the setbacks we encounter as caretakers of cultural heritage, it is possible to glean lessons about our limitations and expectations of conservation practices, and to integrate these into our evolving working methods. Strategies for re-evaluation include viewing setbacks in terms of their positive role in developing long-term goals and practical methodologies, as well as promoting a non-punitive and professional culture of honesty, humor, and acceptance. We hope that such an attitude will help establish, in the words of Marincola and Maisey (2011), ‘a more fruitful learning culture’ for the benefit of both the field of conservation and its mission to protect and preserve historic and artistic materials. Check out Marincola and Maisey's paper, To Err is Human (2011).

Fail Forward

Admitting Failure was founded by the Centre for Social Innovation (Toronto, Ontario) as an online community and resource center to encourage transparency and open dialogue about failure within civil society. As they claim, "By sharing what does not work, we collectively accelerate the process of finding what does," enabling us to "maximize the learning and innovation required to solve complex problems." Their website provides a platform for reading and sharing (your own) stories about failure, for understanding why failure is productive, as well as consultation on how to 'Fail Forward' at your own organization.

Call For Papers

The students of the UCLA/Getty Master’s Program in the Conservation of Archaeological and Ethnographic Materials invite you to the first annual:

Graduate Symposium for Students of Conservation and Preservation (GSSCP)

This is a half-day, student-run symposium for graduate students of conservation, preservation, heritage studies, and related fields to be held on the UCLA Campus in Los Angeles, CA on April 27, 2013.¹   This symposium aims to encourage a conference of ideas, experiences, and observations between different fields engaged in the promotion and management of cultural properties, sites, materials, and values. 

Call forPapers

Graduate-level students of conservation, preservation, heritage studies, and/or related fields are invited to submit a 300-word abstract for a proposed 20-minute paper, presentation, lecture, or demonstration.  Videos or short films will also be considered. 

We invite you to address our inaugural theme for this event: ‘Two steps forward’

This theme is meant to evoke projected goals or expectations of our respective fields, the relationship between them, and the process of learning on which we base these forecasts.  The theme encompasses proposals for improvement, as well as experiences of navigating — or even articulating — the unique limitations and challenges of investing in cultural heritage. 

Expressions of this theme may include how errors, setbacks, and limits of intervention have been addressed within your field; proposed adjustments to existing methodologies; the development or amendment of decision-making processes; case studies that re-interpret or evaluate our fields’ goals; and topics for collaboration between the fields of heritage preservation, conservation, and allied professionals.

Please submit your 300-word abstract to gsscp.2013@gmail.com by January 14^th.  Submit abstracts as a .doc or .pdf and include your name, program affiliation, and a brief (100 words or less) statement on your particular interests and background within your field of study.  Selected participants will be notified by February 6^th. 

This symposium is free and open to the public.  All attendees are encouraged to participate in the discussion.

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¹ The timing of the symposium coincides with the final day of the Association of North American Graduate Programs in Conservation (ANAGPIC) Annual Meeting, held at the Getty Villa and UCLA from April 25- 27, 2013.

Click here to download.