These collections belong to the public. And it’s just incredible that we can enable access.
Kate Parsons, the V&A’s director of conservation, collections care and access
The result is akin to a big, artisanal IKEA (unmissable is the pleasant smell of wood, likely emanating from one of the many ancient chest of drawers — the oldest dating back to 1410) or in the eyes of Diller, a cabinet of curiosities. “The V&A’s collection is eccentric in the first place,” she said. “Where else would you encounter suits of armors, stage cloths, biscuit tins, building fragments, puppets, thimbles, chandeliers, motorcycles next to each other?”
Instead of alphabetising, or organizing based on strict chronology, Diller decided to “lean into the delirium” — placing items that spanned across medium, time periods and geographical location right next to one another. “It’s a 16th century form of display,” she explained. “Which was more for private collections, but (they) also would put delirious things together.”
As expected, lifting the menagerie of items right off the shelf is prohibited — this is not actually an IKEA, after all — but touching, surprisingly, is not entirely off-limits. Visitors keen to hold a centuries-old shoe in their own hands need only take the time to log on and book a slot at the Storehouse’s on-site Research Center . There, invigilators and conservationists are on-hand to teach the public how to properly handle culturally significant works.
The online booking portal has been open since 13 May, with the V&A already reportedly receiving requests from curious members of the public, ranging from avid researchers to brides-to-be looking for wedding dress inspiration. So far, the most requested item is a fuchsia 1954 Cristóbal Balenciaga gown. Laid out in the Research Center, the frock’s silk taffeta looks almost iridescent up close.
Breathing near it feels inconsiderate — but Kate Parsons, director of conservation, collections care and access at the V&A, reassured there is climate control across the facility, keeping the Storehouse at between 16 and 25 degrees centigrade and 40-60% humidity, as per international standards, along with a variety of methods that tie down or secure items to the viewing table.
Still, is she nervous about putting these invaluable items in the hands of the public? “No. Not at all,” she told CNN. “We’ve thought very carefully about the robustness of the object.”
“These collections belong to the public. And it’s just incredible that we can enable access.”
The post In this museum space, the objects are yours to touch appeared first on CNN.
