APT 2002 Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia : Report

CONSERVATION Howard Taylor, Counter space OVERVIEW APT 2002 provided particular challenges for the QAG Conservation Section. One of the main differences with APT 2002 compared with previous APTs was that many works were borrowed from institutions and private lenders, rather than from artists. Another difference was that all works had insurance values. This meant that APT 2002 involved an increased workload for Conservation with the generation of over 130 condition reports. Some reports included multiple parts, for example, 1,012 pieces of paper were condition reported for Jose Legaspi’s Phlegm . For the first time in QAG’s history, we borrowed electronic and digital media with insurance values so these required condition reporting and maintenance. New skills in identifying technical issues and assessing audio quality were rapidly developed. From precedents set during APT 2002, it has been identified that care and documentation of electronic media is an area of conservation need that will increase. A major issue for many museums internationally is providing controlled public access for children and adults to artworks. APT 2002 provided a combination of interactive play activities with an exhibition of delicate artworks. This makes QAG’s programming unique and challenges all staff, and especially Conservation staff, to encourage ways of thinking of new ways to provide interactive learning while providing our duty of care to our Collection and to borrowed artworks. 37