10.01.2025
Museum Europäischer Kulturen
Next year, a small part of the collection of the Museum Europäischer Kulturen (MEK, Museum of European Cultures) will move from Dahlem to a building in the Berlin State Museums’ central storage facility in Friedrichshagen. This will affect the entire photographic and document collections as well as large ceramic pieces. The relocation is necessary because a room in the attic of the Dahlem administration building is being refurbished and will subsequently be used by the neighbouring Geheimes Staatsarchiv – Preußischer Kulturbesitz (Secret State Archives - Prussian Cultural Heritage).
Preparations for the move are currently in full swing. Numerous employees, including museologists, conservator-restorers and curators, are busy inspecting and packing objects. Ensuring that all items survive the move undamaged and can be found afterwards is the top priority.
This undertaking is truly a logistical feat, given the vast number of objects in the photographic collection alone. This collection includes batches of photographs as well as individual objects, some of which are among the most important items in the MEK holdings. Noteworthy are early examples of one-of-a-kind processes, including photographs from the medium’s very beginnings. To prevent transport damage, custom-fitted packaging has to be made for each of these fragile objects, many of which involve glass plates whose photographic coating has already suffered damage over the past 180 years. In addition, these objects are extremely light-sensitive and must also be protected from major fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
Moving the large ceramics involves cleaning them of contaminated dust to minimise any danger harmful substances might pose for future generations.
Maja Bolle, ceramics conservator-restorer at the MEK, explains:
We clean the objects in the suction cabinet using vacuum cleaners equipped with special filters. They are then inspected and stabilised where necessary before being packed for transport.
Alicija Steczek, the museum’s paper conservator-restorer, adds:
The meticulous and extremely conscientious preparation for the move demands our full attention. For this reason, although it’s disheartening, we have decided to close the collection for several years (beginning immediately) for all external requests, including loans to other museums.
Elisabeth Tietmeyer, director of the MEK, adds:
Nevertheless, we see the move as a great opportunity. Ultimately, it will allow us to take a fresh look at the affected areas of the collection and to ensure that they are stored even more suitably in the future.