The two key objectives of museums — exhibition and preservation — are often in conflict.
Dr Emrah Ulas, School of Architecture
Photo: Steensen Varming
Exhibiting an object and exposing it to elements like lighting, fluctuating temperature, humidity and variable air quality can cause damage and degradation.
The very decision to exhibit an item may mean its future is compromised.
In fact, the majority of objects in museum collections are in storage. This is only partly to do with resources and display space. It is largely due to conservation requirements.
- Read the full story in The Conversation: How museums could light up and display more of the world’s precious objects for longer