Webinar Transcript
Opening
Manoj:
So hello everybody, we are joined today by Dr. Tehmina Goskar, who is Director of the Curatorial Research Centre, and a Fellow of the Museums Association. Tehmina has about two decades of experience in the cultural arts and academic sectors. So hello Tehmina!
Byzantine Jewellery
Tehmina:
Hello everybody, so here are my top tips for Sotheby’s Institute students. First, be aware. Plan how you’re going to handle your piece of art before you even think about donning your gloves.
Let me share a story with you. When I was training, a group of us were being shown rare early Byzantine jewelry and metalwork and one item that came around was a beautiful carved gem or ‘intaglio’, which we were told had one of the earliest depictions of Christ’s passion (or Christ on the cross).
However one over-enthusiastic student decided that she needed to get it out and she dug her finger into the carefully made packaging. The intaglio split in half and flew across the room. Please let that not be you! Always be thoughtful; always be mindful.
Don't Wing It
My second tip is don’t wing it. Measure everything, measure everything twice or three times over. Do you know the load-bearing limits of your floors and walls when you’re installing art? Have you checked all the routes? Can you turn the crates and objects around corners? and make sure they can fit through doorways?
Soft Skills
And finally don’t forget your soft skills. Building relationships with your lenders, whether they are public museums or private lenders is very very important. And don’t underestimate the time needed to build those good relationships. Understand the legal and ethical context of the people and countries you deal with.
Closing
Manoj:
Thank you very much Tehmina – these are fantastic tips.! Have a good day.
Tehmina:
Thank you!
