Striving to counterbalance the narrative of Western domination in the field, our primary goal is to compose histories that are both more inclusive and accurate. Exploring various methods of caring for objects and collections within and outside the museum, we emphasize the significance of situated historical and theoretical knowledge. Interrogating the influence of coloniality on care practices and discourses is a crucial aspect of our work. Additionally, our focus extends to the systematic study of the overlooked histories and conservation theories of material culture globally, spanning from the sixteenth to the twenty-first century.

Museums and collections are increasingly facing new challenges: Demands to return artworks to their countries of origin are just as much a part of this as questions about the appropriate display of collections. Conservation practices are changing to the extent that experts and stakeholders are jointly selecting the most suitable methods for preserving (im)material culture. In addition, conservation and sustainability have found their way into preservation. Although many museums exhibit artifacts of diverse origins and deal with complex conservation practices on a daily basis, there are no comprehensive resources on the legacy of conservation, including Indigenous approaches worldwide, and the link between conservation and (neo)colonialism.

Project leader:
Noémie Étienne

Project members:
Honoré Tchatchouang Ngoupeyou

Cécile Mendy

Maeva Pimo

Renée Riedler

Ruby Satele Asiata

Administration:
Szilvia Steiner

Project assistant:
Manon Fougère