Conservation in Dialogue

Conservation is a fascinating but often hidden professional field in museums. What is preserved and how, and who makes the decisions? This exhibition sheds light on various aspects of this important work.

Before the Humboldt Forum opened, thousands of exhibits from different regions of the world, including many ‘cultural belongings’ – these belongings form part of a society’s cultural heritage – were prepared for the exhibitions by conservators. Such work is mainly carried out behind the scenes and is barely visible to visitors.

On display are two crest poles from the Northwest coast of Canada, an ornate lacquer cabinet from the Qing Dynasty, a Mongolian shrine from the 20th century and a ceremonial pipe from the Umoⁿhoⁿ in Nebraska.

These five exhibits and a booklet with in-depth information provide fascinating insights into conservation and restoration issues and methods.

The exhibition is centered around the complex decision-making processes that influence the preservation and presentation of cultural assets. A focus lies on dialogue and cooperation between international partners, conservators and curators.

How do these discussions influence the handling, conservation and presentation of collections?

Insights – Prospects

Accompanying the exhibition, the educational project Insights – Prospects offers a unique perspective: pupils from the Carl-Friedrich-von-Siemens-Gymnasium in Berlin-Spandau have developed four audio texts looking at the exhibits on display in a completely new way.

A temporary exhibition organised by the Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss in cooperation with the Ethnologisches Museum and Museum für Asiatische Kunst of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz.

Curatorial Team
Mira Dallige-Smith, Anna-Isabel Frank, Birgit Kantzenbach, Leonie Kircher, Sebastian Kolberg, Barbara Lenz, Marieluise Michaelis, Elisabeth Seyerl-Langkamp, Ulrike Stelzer, Alexis von Poser 

Cooperation and project partners
Ganchimeg Altangerel, Dulamjav Amarsaikhan, Nyammyagmar Batbayar, Munkhtsetseg Bayanzul, Michael Berger, Ezechiel Brummels, Goomaral Dalkh-Ochir, Batjargal Erdene, Purevbat Gankhuugiin, Bayarmaa Gombo, Chinbat Gombo, Vanessa Hamilton, Ronny Heuschneider, Tumenbayar Homool, Lhagvademchig Jadamba, Otgonbayar Lkhamaa, Wynema Morris, Erdembileg Myagmar, Nandinbaatar Myagmar, Gombodorj Myagmarsuren, Jukov Naranchimeg, Baigal Purevsukh, Byambaa Ragchaa, Solongo Sudar, Dash Temuujin, Altankhuu Tserenjav, Uranchimeg