[alt-photo] Re: ARCHIVALITY

[Diana Bloomfield]

Yeah, that's sort of how I feel.  I've instructed my family that I  
would really prefer, when I'm long gone, that my work not show up in a  
box, please, in the local "antique" store.  I hadn't even thought  
about it all being tossed on the sidewalk in a cardboard box.  So  
thanks for that vision, Judy.   I'll now mention that to them, too. :)

To see old family photographs, or even beautifully cared-for "estate"  
jewelry, etc out there- often at bargain-basement prices- really  
saddens me.  Of course, that doesn't prevent me from taking advantage  
of those great finds-- but I always wonder-- isn't there at least one  
surviving family member who sees the value in keeping these gems (both  
literal and not)?  Seeing family photographs out there, especially, is  
such a heartbreaker.

Diana
On Feb 22, 2010, at 2:27 PM, Judy Seigel wrote:

>
> 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
> _______________________________________________
> Alt-photo-process-list | http://altphotolist.org/listinfo