• Posted on 23 Jul 2021
  • 1-minute read

The two key objectives of museums — exhibition and preservation — are often in conflict.

Dr Emrah Ulas, School of Architecture

Family in a museum discovery centre
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.

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