In this virtual seminar Jonathan Wallis considers the philosophy around making difficult decisions as a conservator or curator as well as some of the tools that might be employed to help us explore questions of authenticity and ethics and their significance in museums, historic houses and historic landscapes/surroundings. Deciding how to deploy limited resources in heritage situations is never easy and while an understanding of the value that individuals and communities place on their heritage can be a guide for our decision making, one also needs to look at the things that we do and the changes our actions can bring about in society both now and in the future.
This will be a 55-min presentation with a 15min discussion.
More information: https://academicprojects.co.uk/courses/authenticity-ethics-and-value-judgements-which-affect-conservation-interpretation-and-presentation/
Jonathan Wallis trained at the Institute of Archaeology in London gaining a degree in Archaeological Conservation. After working both in field archaeology and museums as a conservator he studied for a master’s degree in Museum Studies at UCL before switching to a curatorial role. His wide experience of conservation, heritage and interpretation has been gained from his positions at: the Ashmolean Museum; Oxfordshire Museums; Derby Museums and the National Trust where he is currently a Cultural Heritage Curator.
