EVENT OVERVIEW

In 2015, APTCCARN held its 4th Meeting in Taiwan at the Conservation Center, Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan. With a focus on Asia Pacific's diverse climate and history, the meeting aimed to embrace cultural materials conservation in the region, lessons learnt and ways forward.

Issues such as developing a regional practice of conservation within the needs, resources, communities and geographic place were addressed for locally informed decision making. This is in light of recent extreme weather events, the current reality of the environment and sustainable practices. It was also a targeted forum for the dissemination and discussion of regionally relevant preservation solutions for Southeast Asia's vast cultural record by bringing together international experts engaged with the conservation of material culture in hot, humid climates to this event in Taiwan.

This meeting was a collaboration between Cheng Shiu University, Taiwan and the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation (University of Melbourne, Australia) under the auspices of APTCCARN.

Conference Themes:

• The effect of tropical climates on cultural materials

• Their unique degradation mechanisms

• The environment and current realities of collections care in tropical climates

• Standards and principles of conservation practice in tropical climates

• The impact of Asia Pacific culture and geography on artists' material choices, techniques and artists' intentions

Read the welcome message here.

Download the 4th Meeting Program here

Read a Recap of the Meeting by Julia Brennan here, and another on the AICCM website by Anne Carter, here.

TESTIMONIAL

The APTCCARN meeting proved to be an excellent opportunity for me to meet professionals working in the field of conservation in Southeast Asia. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, enthusiastic and friendly. It was my aim and I very much enjoyed hearing about the specific challenges our profession is confronted with in tropical climates. As an emerging conservator who is focusing her work on European museum collections of Southeast Asian art and heritage, I feel obliged to reach out, come in contact and present myself and my research internationally. APTCCARN's key message and insight for me was, that conservators in Southeast Asia are evidently shifting from an object- to a community-based conservation approach. 

Kind greetings to you and again many thanks! 

Eva Christiane von Reumont

MA student at the University of Arts Bern   
Conservation of non-European Cultural Heritage
– Polychrome Paintings and Sculptures –