AIC's 53rd Annual Meeting

This presentation will discuss the work conducted at the Archivo de la Memoria Trans Argentina (AMT) regarding the design and creation of custom storage systems for photographic materials.

A unique aspect of the AMT is its management and operation by the trans community. Individuals over 50 years old, trained from the ground up, work with their own materials, handling both the digitization and conservation of the archive’s photographs and documents. This approach ensures that the preservation process is deeply connected to and reflective of the community.

The AMT preserves a diverse range of photographic formats and materials, including silver gelatin prints (DOP), chromogenic prints, dye diffusion transfers, and negatives and slides on flexible plastic supports like triacetate and polyester.

Given the challenges of obtaining conservation supplies in Argentina, we have developed bespoke storage systems tailored to the specific needs of our collection. These systems are carefully designed to address the preservation requirements of our photographs and documents.

Before developing these storage systems, we ensured that the collection was properly organized, conservation conditions were assessed, photographic processes were identified, and an appropriate storage environment was established. The primary purpose of our storage design is to act as a physical barrier against environmental contaminants, fluctuations in relative humidity (RH) and temperature, particle deposition, abrasion, and improper handling.

Since our archive does not yet have permanent environmental controls, we decided to create multiple levels of storage and avoid using adhesives or plastics. Instead, all storage systems are crafted from cellulose-based materials that meet the following criteria: smooth and soft surface, dimensional stability, flexibility, white with no dyes or pigments that could migrate, long-term durability and performance, acid-free, free of peroxides and sulfur compounds, lignin-free, and devoid of plasticizers, resins, or waxes.

Locally available materials meeting archival permanence standards were selected for our storage systems. In Argentina, medical-grade paper is commonly used for photographic materials due to its technical specifications, which confirm its suitability for archival preservation.

The design of our storage systems was informed by the working methodology and the way materials are accessed and consulted. Consequently, we have developed paper envelope models, machine-sewn without adhesives, and designed folded models for folders and boxes to house individual items and photo albums. To standardize our processes and train new team members, we have created instructional documents and templates for the production of these storage systems.

Additionally, we have been monitoring internal and external environmental conditions using a data logger to assess how these multiple layers of storage serve as buffers against external environmental fluctuations. This presentation will include preliminary results from this ongoing monitoring, providing insights into the effectiveness of our storage solutions in mitigating environmental impacts.