Dear colleagues,
The votes are in – the collaborative conversation on the description of visual materials will be focused on two topics: 1) The similarities and differences between archival description and visual materials description and 2) Reparative descriptive with a focus on how it applies in the context of visual materials – such as the ethics of using pre-captioned/ described images, especially when those descriptions may be problematic in a modern context; and does consent of the subjects influence our description. We know this latter topic may be more challenging for some participants due to recent administration/policy changes - we ask that our participants create a safe space for this conversation, so all can feel comfortable sharing their experiences and thoughts on reparative work. This session will not be recorded.
We are thrilled to see that our registration numbers are already strong, and we are formatting our discussion with this in mind. To facilitate conversation, we will mimic the format of our in-person meeting last August in Chicago:
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We'll have a quick introduction to the topic together as well as the guidelines for the discussion.
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Conversation will be held in breakout rooms (likely two, based on the number of attendees). Conversation will be facilitated by members of the Visual Materials and Description Sections' Steering Committees. We will discuss both of the topics listed above in the separate rooms, before coming back together. Those conversations will be informal, and we welcome participants just unmuting and sharing, raising their hands, or adding comments in the chat - however folks feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
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We'll all return to the main room to share about what our breakout room conversations as a larger group.
We found the conversation flowed really well between smaller sets and the overall group last summer, so we are hoping that will set us up well for another great discussion on-line!
Please let us know if you have any questions!
Best,
Lilli Keaney, outgoing VMS Chair
Betts Coup, Description Chair
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Betts Coup
Head of Archival Operations
Technical Services for Archives & Special Collections
Archives, Arts, & Special Collections
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA
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