The history seafaring is in many respects a history of materials – they are a determining factor in the construction of vessels as well as their supply and maintenance in port and at sea, their land-locked availability decides over a region’s ability to exploit maritime resources and project sea power, their use and handling on ships and in shipyards represents hundreds of years of experience and tradition. In more recent history, advances in materials science have both raised and answered questions of safety and sustainability in shipping. The importance and variety of materials in maritime history translates directly to many maritime collections, which includes a great spectrum of woods, metals, ceramics, textiles, paints, adhesives, plastics, and composites. The challenge of dealing with the historical dimension of these materials is overlaid by the further challenge of documenting, preserving and occasionally restoring those pieces both for exhibition purposes and long-term storage.

The workshop encourages presentation and discussion of projects in order to focus on both the research and science communication effect digital methods can have in both maritime museums’ exhibition space as well as in the storage rooms. It addresses on a more general perspective the potential of connecting not only maritime museums on a digital level but enhancing their importance for a broader scientific public. Last but not least it also looks at the use of digital methods for both addressing a younger audience as well as their use in promoting more inclusive ways of exhibition making.

The presentations of projects should be limited to 30 mins, followed by a discussion of 15 mins. Please send titles and short abstracts till the 1st of april 2021 to:
Ruth Schilling – schilling@dsm.museum
Robert Domzal – r.domzal@nmm.pl

We will keep in mind the possibility of publishing a documentation afterwards. Please let this cfp circulate to other museum colleagues. With respect to the Corona-Pandemy and with reguard to the subject of the workshop it will be held online. Tool and access will be distributed among the listed participants in advance.