Good afternoon,
My research involving the information I sought advice from you/QVMAG in regard to human remains in cultural production is progressing. Indeed, I am reaching a point where the documentation I am seeking assist in undertaking the next phase.
If there is any inhibition at all in meeting my request please let me know in order that I can get on with my work based on reliable information out of the QVMAG. I have been made aware that information in the press is “unreliable” or has been misconstrued. If you have anything to add to this I would be pleased to receive your advice on that matter.
I look forward to your advice with considerable interest.
Regards,
Ray
Ray Norman
<zingHOUSEunlimited>
The lifestyle design enterprise and research network
PH: 03-6334 2176
EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com
WEBsites:
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” David Morrison
From: Ray Norman <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>
Date: Sunday, 19 May 2019 at 9:45 pm
To: Tracy Puklowski <Tracy.Puklowski@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Subject: Cultural Value and Human Remains
Date: Sunday, 19 May 2019 at 9:45 pm
To: Tracy Puklowski <Tracy.Puklowski@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Subject: Cultural Value and Human Remains
Good morning,,
I write in the context of the apparently renewed interest in human remains in public collections and/or human ‘body parts’ used in cultural production. Against this, there is long standing speculative and anecdotal storytellng relative to the QVMAG and ‘collecting’ more generally. For instance, there are rumours of “skulls in a box” and other such material hidden “in the boules of Wellington Street” and stuff hidden ‘in a hole in the wall”.
Along with these stories there is the one about the bush ranger’s skull complete with a bullet hole “tucked away somewhere “. All of is, along with the story about someone having a ‘tiger skin bedspread” – sometimes the bed too, other times with an exotic jardinière – that originated in the QVMAG which talks about ‘collection security’ and more still.
All this says something about imaginings relative to the QVMAG’s collections in Launceston – plus narratives to do with trust, security and other things. These stories are ever likely to persist and become elastic when somebody knows somebody who …
Likewise, all this is an integral part of, the cultural fabric of, a place like the QVMAG resplendent as it is in its ‘deep histories … Launcestonian histories’ – folklore, rumour, gossip. storytelling, etc. It’s that stuff that operates somewhere in that space between rumour, reportage and gossip –‘cultural truths’ in themselves nonetheless. Whatever, researchers, are bound to interrogate these narratives albeit being careful to signal the ‘deep history context’ and to acknowledge it for what it truly is without any prejudged discounting.
None of this is ether new, nor rocket science, nor even all that contentious any longer. Nor for that matter should it be in any way alarming if considered in context – in a structuralist context perhapsand especially so in ‘places of the muse’.
In order that I might better understand and contextualise some of the speculation coming my way resulting from the ‘postMERCURY Mansell article’ – See https://qvmag2018.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_17.html – the other week questions arise. Some of the questions that arise are perplexing. I must say that my personal attention, and research interest, has been piqued in respect to the cultural and other ‘values’ attributed to this ‘exotic and curious stuff invested with otherness’ – artefacts, cultural production, samples, specimens, etc. More to the point, the story was/is being played out in the ‘musingplace’ at the bottom of the hill upon which I live – and within the ‘placedness’ in which I live. I tell you this only to provide some context for the questions that I now have and the information that I’m now seeking. ….. https://culturalvalue7250.blogspot.com/2019/05/humane-stories-bone-value.html
QUESTIONS
- How might I acquire a copy of any of the documentation of the material that is currently being regarded as being contentious material/objects – digital copy ideally?
- Is there any additional material available – photography etc. – that contextualises the current contention given that I understand that in many cases the ‘ethnographic origins and imperatives’ of some/most of this material is either ambiguous of unclear?
- Does any of this material have a colonial context or a context in a Eurocentric cultural paradigm?
- Given that (presumably?) this material is documented as being in the QVMAG collections – whichever one that might be – what processes are in progress in regard to its deaccession? That is always assuming that there is material to be formally deaccessioned.
- Given that cultural material from the QVMAG collections is to be ‘disposed of’: by what means is it planned to be; by whom; and reported where, when and by whom?
THE INTRERNSHIP PROGRAM
I note with considerable interest that there is an intention to enlist the aid of an intern to recommend a way forward in regard to dealing with the human remains held etc. in the QVMAG’s collections and custody. Considering the terms and conditions of the ‘Plomely Internship’ being offered under the auspices of the ‘Plomley Foundation Emerging Scholars Program’, I am wondering what consideration is being, or has been, given to the supervision, mentorship, along with the formal accreditation/acknowledgement of the candidate’s work in the context of the project in hand?
Also, given scholarly and research imperatives, has any consideration been given to the timely and appropriate ‘mechanisms’ of publication relative to this material and this project?
Whatever the outcomes, it is likely, perhaps highly likely, that there will be ongoing research interest in the material itself relative ‘human remains’ and the processes employed.
I’ll put my hand up as a strong supporter of traineeships and internships. Personally, I’ve had 15 years of first-hand experience as a provider in collaboration with an agency. I’ve seen traineeships achieve good things over a long time. I’ve also seen the concept fail candidates quite badly when attention to detail wains over time. At its worst, it is when it all turns into opportunities for exploitation – and some of that can be pretty bad. From what I’ve been able to glean all the positives are probably there to be realised but sadly, and alarmingly, so too are all the dangers and risks – and probably there are new risks to be added to the mix too.
Currently there are growing opportunities for the uninhibited publication of research outcomes that were just not there until recently. Likewise, there are opportunities for various kinds of ‘ongoing peer review’ that are worthy of implementation. However, all too often there seems to be somewhat inexplicable forces at work to prevent their implementation. Interesting, the free publication of outcomes might just mitigate against all kinds of things – negative ones mainly. Importantly, any of the perceptions that reinforce confidentiality and secrecy are melting way incrementally.
Possibly the constraining of publication may have something to do with perceptions to do the dissolution/dilution of power/authority in institutions once deemed to have had unmitigated and unassailable authority albeit not always appropriate, deserved or earned. Nonetheless, given that interns/trainees enrolled in university/tertiary programs carry a ‘deferred fee for service debt’ that will be accumulating as a deferred debt via their work as an intern. This is a matter worth considering or worthy of further investigation.
I’d be interested in any comment that you may have to offer in regard to these matters
Regards,
Ray Norman
Ray Norman
<zingHOUSEunlimited>
The lifestyle design enterprise and research network
PH: 03-6334 2176
EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com
WEBsites:
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept” David Morrison
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