Seeing the whole picture: an interdisciplinary research model applied to the study of colour slide film collections
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14568/cp37740Keywords:
Chromogenic film, Photograph conservation, Obsolescence, Memory, Values, Collection surveysAbstract
Chromogenic film is a significant part of twentieth-century visual culture, yet guidelines for such photographs rarely integrate material, technical, and cultural characteristics into their conservation. As a result, millions of slides and transparencies are neglected within institutional decision-making. This article presents an interdisciplinary methodology combining an online survey − gathering testimonies and assessing current perceptions − and the assessment of c. 54,000 photographs in Portuguese collections. The combined approach proved effective in identifying recurrent deterioration issues, gaps in reference resources, and contextual factors shaping the value and interpretation of these types of photographs, including its role in contemporary artworks. Documenting both material and immaterial significance emerged as essential for supporting preservation strategies and avoiding further decay. While the method is time-intensive and shaped by qualitative variability, its holistic perspective offers clear advantages for future research. The framework provides a replicable tool for understanding and preserving chromogenic film photographs in Portugal and beyond.
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![Example of how information can be obtained by observing the edges of a 35 mm colour slide, combining information from different sources [1, p. 301; 4, 40] (Image: L. Oliveira Fernandes).](https://conservarpatrimonio.pt/public/journals/34/submission_37740_34231_coverImage_en_US.png)
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