PCA Talks: Anne Cartier-Bresson
New Challenges in Photographic Conservation
Since its inception, the discipline of photographic conservation has undergone constant transformation due to the evolution of shooting and printing techniques, and increased public interest in photography. This talk explored the challenges faced by curators and conservators in the wake of the digital revolution, and took stock of recent developments in the field.
The field of photographic conservation emerged in the 1970s, driven by a new awareness among cultural institutions of the value of the medium and its fragility. The discipline evolved gradually out of a heightened understanding of photographic objects, leading to the development of specific treatment methods, training courses, protocols and international professional networks. However, since its inception, the discipline of photographic conservation has undergone constant transformation due to the evolution of shooting and printing techniques, and increased public interest in photography. This talk explored the challenges faced by curators and conservators in the wake of the digital revolution, and took stock of recent developments in the field.
Anne Cartier-Bresson is the Cultural Heritage Curator and Director of the Atelier de Restauration et de Conservation des Photographies de la Ville de Paris, and is the author of numerous books on the subject.