PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography, an inestimable cultural asset that is simultaneously material object and visual content, makes a fundamental contribution to the recording and understanding of our history in all its dimensions. The diversity of photographic media, the ongoing technological development and the requirements of communication form the cornerstones of the preservation of this complex medium.
ACTIVITIES
Photographer with different cameras, c. 1938, Carl Jost /
Staatsarchiv Kanton Bern, Bern (FN Jost N 4014)
Since photography was invented in 1839, numerous different processes have been used to make photographs. The ageing processes of the products of each system are many and varied, and depend upon the chemical processes used: some decompose, some become discoloured, and nearly all are sensitive to temperature and humidity.
Memoriav activities in Photography:
- Preservation and valorisation of Switzerland’s photographic heritage.
- Initiating and supporting projects: restoration and digitisation of collections, improvement of the accessibility of photographic records.
Explore the Projects (in German/French/Italian) - Description of the state of our country’s photographic archives, in order to formulate a policy for their preservation.
- Heightening public awareness at special events and exhibitions of collections that have been saved.
- Organisation and coordination of a excellence network, in which restoration and archiving experts tackle the preservation of the photographic cultural heritage of Switzerland.
Go to the photo excellence network (in German/French/Italian)
recommendations
Selected information from the areas of archiving, cataloguing and digitisation, as well as practical advice on the care, handling and storage of audiovisual recordings.
Memoriav recommendations
Memoriav publishes recommendations for the preservation of audiovisual recordings. They were developed by the experts participating in Memoriav’s excellence networks or result from Memoriav projects.
Since March 2022, the Memoriav recommendations are available as an online publication in German and French.
External recommendations
International recommendations and standards from the field of audiovisual cultural heritage preservation, published by expert organisations or specialised institutions:
list of links
