Identifying challenges in the conservation of South African photography based on three case studies

Abstract

Photographs have a visual tie to human memory in that they are used to capture moments of significance, and give a visual illustration of how something looks at that moment and time. Visual representation, in the way it is connected to human memory, has become an important tool in historical and heritage studies. Photographs allow for senses of the past to be seen and experienced, which is one of the primary reasons why pictures are safeguarded. This dissertation focuses on the ways in which photographic conservation gives special attention to the preservation of photographs. I will review the conservation and archival practices that the following three collections use to care for their photographs: the Duggan-Cronin collection at the McGregor Museum in Kimberley, the Bensusan Museum collection at Museum Africa in Johannesburg, and the Rashid Lombard collection, which is being donated to the University of the Western Cape. Each of these three collections tell a South African heritage story as seen through photography from 1866 to present. They cover different aspects that form an integral part of the history of South Africa, including the colonial era, the era of The Union of South Africa, apartheid and the post-apartheid era. It is important to understand the technological and social evolution of photography because how an objectis made, the materials it ismade of, and how it is used in research and exhibition, all influence its longevity, preservation, and deterioration. To complement observations in the three case studies, a survey was circulated through the South African Museums Association requesting participation. The survey allowed for a broader view to be formulated as to how different Museums in South Africa care for their photographs and to guide the formulation of context appropriate guidelines for handling, storage, exhibition and albeit briefly, digitization.

Keywords: South African photographic collections Preventative conservation Photographic conservation Collections care and management