Hello all,
I have run into a strange predicament and could use some advice. I manage
an East Asian art collection – the historic house/building has both gallery and
collections storage spaces, and for the past few years we have had some pest
issues (mostly carpet beetles and wood pests, in one of the collections storage
spaces). If exhibits in the gallery do not relate to collections I manage, then
I am not consulted on the gallery exhibitions (usually curated by students).
But imagine my surprise when I found out that the latest student exhibition
included 15 bucketfuls of soil collected from a local riverbank and spread
across the gallery floor 😊 We have since remedied the communication issues that
led to this (I will now be looped in), but I obviously have major concerns
about the introduction of pests, eggs, etc. in the building as a result (in one
20-minute period, I found two live insects and 2 dead ones in this small
gallery). In case it is helpful, the installation was in late February, but I
did not find out about it until two weeks ago.
The curators have been very understanding about the risk this poses to the
collections and are willing to rehab the exhibit in whatever way eliminates or
mitigates the pest risk (though it was installed in Feb, so I expect much of
the damage re: hatching and escapees is already done). As they brainstorm
solutions, they are asking if there is a way to sterilize the soil so that the
exhibit can stay intact.
Can anyone advise on what non-chemical sterilization techniques would be
sufficient to eliminate the pest risk if the soil were to stay? I am leaning
toward an option that removes the soil altogether (or at least encapsulates
it), but wanted to get people’s thoughts since they asked me this question
directly. I have no idea if baking or steaming soil is sufficient for ridding
it of pests, eggs, larvae, etc.
Be
Thanks for your patience as you read through my weird problem – I would be so
appreciative of any direction you could provide!
Best,
Wendi
[cid:[email protected]]
WENDI FIELD MURRAY, PHD
COLLECTIONS MANAGER/REPATRIATION COORDINATOR, Archaeology & Anthropology
Collection
COLLECTIONS MANAGER, East Asian Art & Archival Collection
Wesleyan University | Olin Library
Exley Science Center, 301 | Middletown, CT 06459
P. 860 685-2085
pronouns: she/her/hers
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