Programme

Handling & Preventive Care of Museum Objects

The preventive care component emphasizes proactive strategies for safeguarding museum collections, including proper handling, appropriate storage, and the control of biodeterioration. Three subject specialists in textile, paper, and metal care each conduct two-day modules that address material-specific vulnerabilities and preservation challenges.

The three-day course on the preventive care of art objects is led by Girikumar S, one of India’s senior professionals in collections care. The course aims to equip participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills related to the safe handling, display, and storage of museum objects.

Hands-on exercises demonstrate techniques to minimize physical stress during object movement and installation. Particular emphasis is placed on hygiene practices, the correct use of gloves, and the selection of appropriate tools for handling fragile and sensitive materials. These sessions strengthen participants’ understanding of best practices and prepare them for the subsequent modules of the programme.

Instructor - Girikumar S

Documentation and Survey of Paintings & Built Heritage

The course on Documentation and Survey of Paintings and Built Heritage introduces participants to the documentation of artefacts and architectural spaces using photogrammetry through a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on practical exercises. It provides both technical training and critical context, examining how visual data are captured, processed, and transformed into accurate 2D and 3D representations for analysis, documentation, and heritage preservation.

Participants learn the fundamentals of photogrammetry, including survey planning, image-capture strategies, data-processing workflows, and common applications in cultural heritage and architectural documentation. Through practical exercises, students generate visually and geometrically accurate digital models while addressing key issues such as scale, accuracy, resolution, and potential sources of error.

A central emphasis of the course is the application of photogrammetric modelling within conservation practice. Lectures and discussions address the objectives and appropriate uses of photogrammetric data, ethical considerations in the digital documentation of cultural heritage, and the role of photogrammetry as a tool for condition assessment and long-term monitoring.

Conducted by Maniyarasan R and Wendy Rose, the course covers the theoretical foundations and historical development of photogrammetry, along with practical training in equipment handling and software applications.

Instructors - Maniyarasan Rajendran & Wendy Rose

Museum Imaging

Museum imaging remains an under-recognized professional field in India, despite its essential role in documentation, research, publication, and collections care. Imaging supports cataloguing, online outreach, and scholarly study, while also enabling accurate recording of object condition prior to treatment or display.

The course provides training in imaging techniques for a wide range of museum objects, from miniature paintings to metal artefacts, and offers participants practical experience with objects of varying material and structural complexity. Innovative methods for imaging reflective, fragile, and intricately detailed artefacts, as well as architectural interiors, are introduced by Neil Greentree.

The course emphasizes the importance of documenting the condition of objects before any interventive procedures and covers both photographic practice and digital workflows. Sessions address camera handling, lighting strategies, and digital image processing, along with file organization and long-term data management, enabling participants to develop systematic and reliable imaging practices for museum collections.

Instructor - Neil Greentree

Multispectral Imaging

The course on Multispectral Imaging (MSI) introduces participants to the role of MSI in documentation, technical study of artworks, and preventive care planning. MSI provides valuable information on artistic techniques and materials, particularly in works of art historical significance, and supports non-invasive approaches to the study of museum collections.

Overseen by Sreekumar Menon, the course uses both the newly acquired MSI equipment at the centre for the programme and an additional MSI kit provided by the instructor. Participants examine selected painted objects from the museum collection and gain hands-on experience in image acquisition, processing, and interpretation. The course familiarizes students with different spectral ranges and imaging modes and demonstrates how MSI supports the identification of pigments, underdrawings, surface alterations, and previous interventions.

With access to one of the most advanced MSI systems in India, the programme allows students to conduct a wide range of simple and complex MSI investigations during the six-day course. Participants prepare and present non-invasive MSI studies of museum objects, contributing analytical data to ongoing research on the museum’s collections.

MSI is powerful tool that bridges art, science, and technology. Its non-invasive nature allows for in-depth examination without harming the artwork. Whether revealing hidden details or conservation efforts, MSI contributes significantly to our understanding of cultural heritage.

Instructor - Sreekumar Menon