My Word - Fall 20
We are now moving into our 11th month of COVID 19 which has brought some temporary and some permanent changes to both the art world and our personal lives.. Some will make for difficult adjustments while others might be forward thinking and welcome changes to an industry that has not always been on the cutting edge of progress. We have devoted much of this issue to these changes and how the art world has adapted.
Recently, I attended both an International Society of Appraisers requalification course which is required every five years and the USPAP (Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice) update course required every two years. Last night I attended an ISA monthly meeting of the chapter in DC featuring a lecture on African curreciies. All of these were Zoom meetings which were conducted flawlessly without the time expenditure, cost, and hassle of transportation . For many of us the effective use of this tool creates opportunities we would never have had in a face to face world with a demanding schedule. I am excited to be able to take advantage of this technology. As appraisers we are doing more Face Time/ Skype appraisals which while not as good as a personal examination are far better than operating with either videos or photos.
We have noted the exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum celebrating its 150 yeras entitled “Making the Met, 1870-2020”.. Whether intended or not it does ask the question what is your museum going to be in the future.. The politically correct “woke” influences have and will have their impact which is apparent in this exhibition . More importantly, however, the question is very relevant for every museum around the world that survives COVID19. What are we to be and where will the museum leadership take us. Significantly, the direction is not a simple choice of appeasement. Fundamentally, the issue is who pays the bill for this vision of the future. This reality, as most museum directors already understand quite well, is complicated and fraught with many opportunities to alienate those that have traditionally offered their support. I can’t imagine that government will step in to fill this potential gap.
Still no interns until I am guessing now next Spring. The Roadshow debuted their new season last night with programing that has worked around COVID. I am guessing we will be back on site shooting again some time this next years. The Roadshow family is eager to get back together looking for great objects to bring to the Roadshow viewers.
It is a very crazy time right now, especially for those of us in the COVID vulnerable category. I have spent hours studying all sides of this pandemic and wonder how anyone that has not made this kind of commitment could have any idea of what is going on with so much conflicting information. Suffice it say that have several restricted our movements and are masked up whenever we leave the house. In some environments where it looks more crowded we add a shield (naturally Chinese made on Amazon) as well. And no I don’t believe everything I am told about masks or lockdowns but ultimately the issue is one of your own common sense and what works for you. I hope you all stay safe..
The solution for any pandemic, get a puppy (Emma) . It will momentarily change your life. Its worth it. Izzi needed a buddy.
