[alt-photo] Re: ARCHIVALITY

[Judy Seigel]

Think of it this way:  We've been using these methods, with comparisons 
and fine points and experts and advisories and tests and finer and finer 
refinements for -- what, 50 years?  100 years?  and to date have there 
been any stories of woe?  Not that I recall from folks doing them kosher, 
with known papers & safe storage, etc. etc. etc.

But outbreaks of anxiety (and this is admittedly personal opinion) 
continue from time to time, seeming (to me) to worry: will this work of 
art last til the end of time, after I'm gone, unto the next millenium and 
beyond ?

Here, guys, is the answer (& send me a letter from heaven if I'm wrong): 
If you're nobody, or even not SOMEBODY, when you die your heirs, if they 
don't have a private archive or other connection, and you haven't made 
provisions in your lifetime, or have some special material in your work, 
as for instance a complete record of flying saucers, steam engines, 
Marilyn Monroe, or 2-headed calfs, will sweep the contents of your studio 
into a cardboard box and leave them on the sidewalk (as indeed occasional 
reports tell of great finds from that location).

If you are SOMEBODY, odds are some archive or collection, foundation or 
other preserve will gladly take your relics -- and THEY will, guaranteed. 
have EXPERTS on hand who will know (especially by then) far more about 
archiving, preservation, restoration and related topics than we do and 
will not only know heaps more about fixing and saving than we do, but will 
even have special worms to fill up old wormholes -- and MORE, MUCH MORE! 
(Not to mention that a slight look of aging may add a delicious patina.) 
So relax.

Judy