Sticks, Bones, and Feathers: Conservation in Sacred and Controversial Situations(Conservation Matters lecture)

Date: Thursday, February 22, 2007
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Getty Center, Museum Lecture Hall
Admission: Free; reservations required.

Learn about new directions in the conservation of ancient and sacred objects from world-renowned conservator and anthropologist Nancy Odegaard.

Odegaard explains why conservators who work with human remains and sacred artifacts must approach their work with greater cultural sensitivity than ever before. She illustrates her discussion with fascinating case studies from her own career, including projects to conserve the fossilized remains of Lucy, the hair of Ludwig von Beethoven, and the human remains known as Kennewick Man. Odegaard also discusses her work in identifying and mitigating a side-effect of culturally insensitive conservation practices of the past—the use of toxic pesticides on museum objects, such as Native American headdresses, masks, and pottery, that are now eligible for repatriation.

About Nancy Odegaard
Nancy Odegaard is a conservator, an anthropologist, and the head of the Preservation Division at the Arizona State Museum. She is also a professor in the departments of anthropology and materials science at the University of Arizona in Tucson and was recently named co-director of the new University of Arizona graduate program in heritage conservation science, one of the first such programs in the world. Odegaard is also the president of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC), the national membership organization of conservation professionals.

Read an article by Nancy Odegaard in Conservation, the magazine of the Getty Conservation Institute.

About Conservation Matters
Conservation Matters is a series of occasional lectures hosted by the Getty Conservation Institute examining conservation issues from around the world.

How to Get Here
The Getty Center is located at 1200 Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California, approximately 12 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. See Hours, Directions, Parking for directions and parking information.