KUKU

KU ScholarWorks

  • myKU
  • Email
  • Enroll & Pay
  • KU Directory
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Libraries
    • Libraries Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    •   KU ScholarWorks
    • Libraries
    • Libraries Scholarly Works
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    The Populist Conservator: A Sticky Case Study

    Thumbnail
    View/Open
    BPG populist conservator 2012.pdf (166.2Kb)
    Issue Date
    2012
    Author
    Baker, Whitney
    Publisher
    American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. Book and Paper Group.
    Type
    Article
    Article Version
    Scholarly/refereed, publisher version
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    How do colleagues in related professions and the general public regard the conservator? As a scientist in a white lab coat, bent over an object with a tiny paintbrush in hand? The unseen expert referenced in family treasure shows on public television? As a pie-in-the-sky idealist whose best practices seem to belie an understanding of the limitations facing small museums and archives? This paper is an overview of the author’s research, borne out of necessity, on preserving a treasured—yet not well preserved—part of American popular culture: the bumper sticker. Such objects would rarely warrant individual conservation treatment, yet are held in many permanent research collections and small cultural heritage institutions. In the midst of a traditional, materials-science-based research project on how these items were made and how they changed and deteriorated over time, the author overcame her own and others’ prejudices about what constitutes an object worth preserving. Thus the goals of the research shifted outward: to communicating the preservation message for materials that usually do not receive conservation notice—such as these challengingly sticky and ephemeral objects—and to providing economical solutions for items widely held by institutions routinely strapped for funds. Surprisingly, once the work was couched in terms of its impact on the public, the public took notice. The bumper sticker project garnered significant interest in the popular press and blogosphere, and even resulted in a video created by the author’s institution. This example will contextualize a discussion of positive and accessible approaches toward publicizing the preservation of cultural heritage, in ways that make use of modern technologies.
    URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/1808/12837
    Collections
    • Libraries Scholarly Works [459]
    Citation
    Baker, Whitney. 2012. The populist conservator: A sticky case study. Book and Paper Group Annual 31: 25-28.

    Items in KU ScholarWorks are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.


    We want to hear from you! Please share your stories about how Open Access to this item benefits YOU.


    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    Browse

    All of KU ScholarWorksCommunities & CollectionsThis Collection

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    View Usage Statistics

    Contact KU ScholarWorks
    785-864-8983
    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    785-864-8983

    KU Libraries
    1425 Jayhawk Blvd
    Lawrence, KS 66045
    Image Credits
     

     

    The University of Kansas
      Contact KU ScholarWorks
    Lawrence, KS | Maps
     
    • Academics
    • Admission
    • Alumni
    • Athletics
    • Campuses
    • Giving
    • Jobs

    The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY.

     Contact KU
    Lawrence, KS | Maps