CONSERVATION OFFICE

In addition to carrying out scientific research and analysis, during the year the Conservation Office administered 370 treatments to cultural objects including paintings, historical documents, textiles, photographs, metal objects, sculptures, organic objects, and archaeological finds. The office also developed and ran a series of 74 educational activities and extension workshops designed to heighten conservation awareness of participants. These included behind-the-scenes laboratory visits and hands-on workshops organised for the School Culture Day Scheme and for International Museum Day. More than 2 600 participants, including 1 090 students from 27 school groups, were introduced to the fun and challenges of heritage conservation through these programmes.

A conservator conducting scientific analysis on the red colourant of various Chinese traditional wedding documents from the early 20th century.

A conservator using traditional techniques to mount a Chinese painting.

For the second consecutive year, the Conservation Clinic was run during Muse Fest 2016. It offered free specialist consultations to members of the public who brought in photographs, textiles, metals and paper objects of personal value. The participants also got the opportunity to preserve and repair their objects under the guidance of conservators.

A conservator at the Conservation Clinic advises on the condition of a family heirloom, and gives advice on caring for it.

Beginning from May 2016, two displays themed on Chinese tea and tea-drinking culture were staged at Gates 35 and 36 of Terminal 1 at the Hong Kong International Airport. Titled ‘Tea•Ceramics•Joy’ and ‘Pot and Tea’, the displays gave visitors insights into tea and tea-drinking from different perspectives. The exhibitions were well received, with an average monthly attendance of some 40 000.

A passenger photographs exhibits in the Tea•Ceramics•Joy exhibition at the Hong Kong International Airport.

The Pot and Tea exhibition was located at Gate 36 of the Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 1.

A total of 175 conservation volunteers worked on projects including the installation of exhibits, collection preservation, workshop demonstrations, and practical conservation treatment. As a result, the office recorded 11 000 service hours in 2016-17, an all-time high. The office was awarded the Gold Award for Volunteer Service (Organisation) by the Volunteer Movement of the Social Welfare Department for the fourth consecutive year.

A conservation volunteer helps a conservator to mount a Cantonese opera costume.

Representatives from the office presented academic papers and posters at a number of international conferences, including the International Symposium on National Art Collection’s Conservation held in Beijing in July, the IIC 2016 Los Angeles Congress held in Los Angeles in September, and the International Conference on Preservation and Conservation for Rare Books, held in Guangdong in November 2016.

A LCSD representative answers questions from the floor at the IIC 2016 Los Angeles Congress.