Call for papers--Conference on preservation of Holocaust documentation

Call for papers

"Heritage and Memory:  Revising Scopes and Means of Physical and
    Digital Preservation of Holocaust Documentation" Yad Vashem,
    Jerusalem 8-10 September, 2014

Supported by the European Commission International Workshop within
the Framework of the European Holocaust

We would like to invite you to participate in the international
workshop on Revising the Scope and Means of Physical and Digital
Preservation of Holocaust Documentation to be held at Yad Vashem,
Jerusalem, September, 8-10, 2014.

The workshop is organized within the framework of the European
Holocaust Research Infrastructure (EHRI) project, supported by the
European Commission.  Launched in November 2010, EHRI is dedicated
to opening up collections related to Holocaust history within a
web-based environment with the purpose of generating a creative
exchange of knowledge and views between professionals in various
subfields of Holocaust research and documentation.

The dramatic developments in digital technology and their
application in various disciplines have an increasing impact on
conservation and preservation of cultural heritage and primary
sources: documents, photographs, artwork and artifacts.  Indeed, the
digital surrogate represents considerable advantages; it circumvents
the necessity of accessing the original thus preventing its
deterioration by physical contact or exposure to uncontrolled
environment.  The new technology media provide an effective and
simple worldwide dissemination of information; it improves the
potential for both academic research and household, and enhances the
elaboration of visual data through the application of advanced
spectral imaging technologies.

However, this growing use of digital media requires a particular and
closer examination of its eventual effect on preserving the
Holocaust memory and heritage.  Even today, almost seven decades
since the end of the war, our information on the victims of the
Shoah and the fates of individuals and communities remains very
incomplete.  The Nazis made a determined effort not only to murder
the Jews but to obliterate their memory as well.  Holocaust
documentation is the basis for Holocaust research, the core material
for the production of museums and exhibits, and a resource base for
commemoration activities and education for future generations.
These building blocks of memory are scattered across the world, in
countless fragments.  They were written in hiding, under difficult
conditions, with poor materials.  Part of the material was in
private hands for many decades, not always in adequate conditions.
This sensitive documentation is often the last testimony to the life
of an individual, or to the execution of murder; therefore
preservation has significant moral, educational and legal
implications.  At the same time, there is a broadening understanding
in the world that Holocaust documentation needs to be made
accessible to the wide public via advanced technology, precisely
because of the great interest expressed by the public.  Preservation
of Holocaust documentation as a test case can present professionals
in the field with a window to a discussion on questions that concern
conservators worldwide.  Developments and dilemmas that concern
those dealing with the preservation of cultural heritage in general
impact on the decision making process of leaders in preservation of
Holocaust documentation.

This workshop will address the challenges surrounding the intrinsic
importance of the original material and the need to preserve it
alongside with the digital image.  It will therefore emphasize the
particular importance of assuring the appropriate means and skills
for preserving the physical material, of updating the technologies
for the digital conservation and backup, and finally, define and
establish the complementary role of each one of the conservation
processes.

Call for Papers

This international workshop is designated specifically for scholars
involved in the practical, ethical and philosophical aspects of
conservation of Holocaust heritage, and for professionals from
various fields of conservation who will impart common experience and
methodologies.  This venue will also provide the opportunity to
enhance cooperation and communication and foster the establishment
of a common terminology for scholars, conservators and information
technology (IT) people.  The participants will also address
questions and issues such as: Should all originals be digitized or
should priority be given to selected collections? Is it possible to
transfer information such as colors, texture, thickness, and
dimensions from the original to digital media? What is the longevity
of a digital medium? How hardware and software compatibility issues
should be addressed, etc.  Proposals are now invited for individual
presentations, participation in round tables, or workshop sessions.

Topics of interest include but are not limited to:

    Physical conservation of Holocaust documentation: challenges and
    decision making

        The value and importance of an original in Holocaust
        Documentation

        Ethics of preservation of Holocaust original materials

        Dilemmas in conservation of original Holocaust materials

    The role of information technologies on conservation of
    Holocaust documentation

        The effect of information technologies on the
        decision-making process of conservation

        Standards of digitalization of the original item

        File management and information backup

        Digital photography and image processing as a documentation
        and research tool

        Advanced imaging technologies and their potential for
        Holocaust documentation, preservation, display and
        dissemination

    Physical conservation and the digital media, parallel or
    complementary?

    Case Studies: examples of projects dealing with Holocaust
    documentation involving tangible and digital conservation

The workshop will be conducted in English.  Translation from or to
other languages will not be available.

If you are interested in giving an individual paper or participating
in a round table discussion, please send a short 500 word proposal
and a CV (including all relevant contact information) to
varda.gross<-a t->yadvashem< . >org< . >il

The deadline for submissions of proposals is, May 30, 2014.
Notification of acceptance will be sent via email by, June 30, 2014.

Subsidies will be available to participants in accordance with
European Commission guidelines and the EHRI project budget.

Questions on administrative matters: hillel.solomon<-a t->yadvashem< . >org< . >il


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