Conservators, the mindful scholars

[Dennis Piechota]

Have you noticed the phrase "scholars and conservators?" It's often used to describe the attendees at meetings. When I googled it I got over 24000 hits!

But surely we too are scholars in our fashion. We are what might be termed 'mindful scholars.' I'm borrowing from that personal therapeutic exercise that is currently in vogue. The goal of mindfulness is to help one achieve a calm inner state by limiting and focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while acknowledging and accepting without judgment one's feelings, thoughts, and sensations.

Applying that to a profession like ours requires... elasticity. But I think it has value if it helps to make us aware of our place within the academy. As scholars we limit and focus on the materials at hand, the object in front of us, attempting so without judgment or preconception. This often generates unexpected observations and questions that surprise our non-conservator colleagues. We help give fresh starts to their sometimes atomized dialogs of interpretive research.

Perhaps it's the academy that should be more elastic and recognize our form of mindful scholarship.

Dennis

Dennis Piechota

Archaeological Conservator

Fiske Center for Archaeological Research
UMass Boston
Office: 617-287-6829

ALTCONS Group Admin

an Alternative Conservation Discussion

[Miriam Clavir]

Nice post, Dennis. Let me add that many of us also focus on the significance of the materials at the same time. As you know, this is particularly true if you’re treating cultural materials form indigenous peoples.  In any case, this can be part of your analogy with Mindfulness.

I won’t go into this more, it’s been and is being discussed a lot, and besides, I keep saying I’m fully retired from conservation now! 

FYI my second mystery novel has just been published and because it’s set on an archaeological dig in Quebec City,  I wanted to let you know personally.  “Fate Accompli” (Bayeux Arts) takes place on a dig in the historic Lower Town of that city.  I don’t know if you read mysteries, esp. in the “medium-boiled” subgenre  I write in, or have visited or want to visit Quebec City, but  my website has more info if you’re interested.

best wishes,

Miriam

www.miriamclavir.ca
https://www.facebook.com/FictionByMiriamClavir
Insinuendo: Murder in the Museum: a conservation mystery novel
Fate Accompli: Murder in Quebec City

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