Low Oxygen Display Case
Preserving Community Cultural Expressions with: Low-Oxygen Display Systems
Why Preservation Matters?
- They represent living traditions, beliefs, and identities
- Materials like cotton, silk, wood, palm leaf are fragile
- Vulnerable to oxygen, humidity, insects, and fungi
- Conservation must balance science and cultural meaning
The Conservation Challenge & Gaps
- Many Indian museums lack stable climate control
- Traditional methods like silica gel and AC are temporary fixes
- Fumigation and chemicals are now avoided for safety reasons
- Microbial growth and pests remain major threats
- Infrastructure and funding gaps persist
How Low - Oxygen Systems Work
- Oxygen reduced below 1%, replaced with nitrogen gas
- Inert, non-toxic, and reversible system
- Stops insects, mould, and oxidation naturally
- Airtight cases with humidity and O¢ sensors
- Long-term stable microclimate with minimal energy use
Global Case Studies
- British Museum: Encapsulation Project for fragile artefacts
- Musée du Quai Branly, Paris: Nitrogen-sealed ethnographic cases
- National Museum of Denmark: Long-term oxygen-free vitrines
- Japan's National Institute for Cultural Properties: Nitrogen preservation
- India: Hyderabad State Museum's mummy in nitrogen case
Conclusion
- Nitrogen systems = technical + ethical innovation
- Reduces decay and maintenance costs
- Sustainable, chemical-free conservation
- Pilot installations and training needed in India
- Collaboration with artisans and communities
- Protects both matter and meaning
References
- Bradley, S. (2005). Preventive Conservation Research and Practice at the British Museum. Journal of the American Institute for Conservation, 44(3), 1593173.
- Maekawa, S., & Elert, K. (2002). The Use of Oxygen-Free Environments in the Control of Museum Insect Pests. Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute.
- Querner, P. (2015). Insect Pests and Integrated Pest Management in Museums, Libraries and Historic Buildings. Insects, 6(2), 5953607.
- Valentin, N. (1991). Controlled Atmosphere for Insect Eradication in Library and Museum Collections (Report No. 700). Smithsonian Institution.
- Smith, L. (2006). Uses of Heritage. London & New York: Routledge.
- McCarthy, C. (2018). Museums and Mori: Heritage Professionals, Indigenous Collections, Current Practice. New York: Routledge.
- UNESCO. (2003). Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Paris: UNESCO.
- International Council of Museums (ICOM). (2017). ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums. Paris: ICOM
