I work on the “service level” of the IMA, which is really another not-so-pleasant-way of saying the basement. But this is fine with me because that’s where the majority of the IMA’s art lives (just about everything that is not currently on view is down here except the works of art on paper, which are stored on the ground level). While I wouldn’t call the service level Fort Knox, it’s the most secure level of the building (as far as I know there are no actual tanks in the security department’s arsenal). I’m an assistant conservator of objects and I work with seven other regular staff conservators, two conservation technicians, one administrative assistant, and one graduate intern from Buffalo State College. We’re divided into our areas of specialty: objects, paintings, textiles, and works of art on paper. In short, the conservation department is responsible for the physical well-being of the entire collection while it’s on view, in storage, or on loan to other museums. In addition to being care-takers of the art, we also research the collection in an effort to answer questions related to its condition, structure, technology, and authenticity. If you want more general and specific information about art conservation go here.

Read the rest of this entry »