A Conservation Conversation: Student Guides Chat with Art Conservators Ruby Awburn & Haddon Dine

Join student tour guides Paul Tamburro and Cecilia Zhou in conversation with two Conservation Fellows at the Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies: Ruby Awburn and Haddon Dine. As conservators, Ruby and Haddon work to preserve and protect the works in the Harvard Art Museums’ collection and the cultural heritage they embody. The Conservation Fellows discuss the history and practice of art conservation, explain the difference between conservation and restoration, and share some of their current and past projects! Use the timestamps below to navigate the different sections of the conversation: 1:00 - What is Conservation? 1:50 - Ethics of Conservation 3:20 - Changes Over Time and Space 6:10 - Surprising Techniques 7:35 - Material Looking 11:05 - Conserving Conservation? 13:25 - Intangible Aspects of Cultural Heritage TAKE A CLOSER LOOK: Follow the Student Guides on Instagram @harvardarthappens: