[Nhcoll-l] Drones around real specimens?

Fri Apr 15 15:24:21 EDT 2022

Hi Fabian,
Well stated.
What a great way to convey the size and diversity of collections. No doubt some risk is possible but, as you and others have well argued, it can be managed to a very low level. We can’t let imaginable possibilities prevent us from demonstrating collections in effective ways to the public (who usually, actually owns them.)
Jane Henderson and I have recently argued for not considering risks to collections independent from benefits of use. Abstract attached and video of presentation available on request.
Rob

From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Fabian Neisskenwirth
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2022 6:14 AM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Drones around real specimens?

Hey there,

i think that drone videos are in fact a very nice possibility for non-museum people to have a better look in a museums function. Specially in collection that are not accessible for everyone. Here is a very nice example done by the Montanhistorisches Dokumentationszentrum (montan.dok) at the Deutsches Bergbau-Museum in Bochum, its not natural history collections, but you will get the idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw2LDI186H8  (the music is horrible, but that's just a taste thing)

I think that if there is professional piloting done in companionship of the local conservation team, the result can be very good for giving a nice insight in the collections.

I can understand that sometimes it seems like new medias can be challenging and seem to get just a sensational effect. But at the same time we have to get the fact that it is 2022 and this kind of promotion attracts (specially younger) people to get involved with collection work and learn in some different way what museums do and why they are here for.

So from my point of view videos like this can be very helpful for promotional use.

Off course a good plan of what and how it is going to be shoot is very important for the safety of the collection.

All best and nice holidays to everyone,

Am 15.04.22 um 00:54 schrieb Christy Bills:
I'm afraid the video in question might have been filmed at my museum (Natural History Museum of Utah).
https://gizmodo.com/a-tiny-drone-carrying-a-deconstructed-gopro-captured-th-1835201423

At the time it was filmed our publicity folks forgot to clear it with collections staff and it did cause quite a stir, and a change in policy.
We in collections and research were concerned that members of the public would see the cool video and then think that they could visit the museum and freely fly drones through the galleries, putting specimens at risk.
Nothing was damaged during the filming (unless you count some bruised interdepartmental relationships).

-Christy Bills
(she/her)
Invertebrates Collections Manager
Natural History Museum of Utah

________________________________
From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu><mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> on behalf of Battermann, Nora <battermann at snsb.de><mailto:battermann at snsb.de>
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022 1:30 PM
To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu> <nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu><mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Drones around real specimens?

In addition to what has already been said, I also doubt the majority of
those viewing the videos would have any concerns about the safety of the
objects. Most museums struggle with objects being touched when they are
not supposed to be handled and I think that these days we are so
accustomed to drone videos that many people would enjoy the views but
not think about the risks, especially those outside the museum sector.

Cheers,
Nora

---
Dr. Nora Battermann
Koordination Sammlungsassessment
---------------------------
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D-80539 München

Telefon:
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Am 2022-04-14 21:22, schrieb Jennifer C. Dreyer:
> As a certified drone pilot myself and a curator for an invertebrate
> collection I agree with Andy that it would be highly unlikely for any
> damage to result from flying close to these types of specimens. Many
> of drones available on the market have sophisticated obstacle
> avoidance systems and experienced drone pilots can maneuver in
> extremely close quarters with amazing accuracy (and speed). The
> obvious concern is the experience of the drone operator as already
> pointed out. That is a more relevant question in terms of
> responsibility of care. The benefits of promoting natural history
> collections with non-traditional ways of engaging people seems to
> outweigh any potential risk in my opinion.  I only wish now that I had
> some cool, large invertebrate specimens to fly over with my drone.
> Alas, most of my invertebrates are tiny and would not make for a very
> interesting video. But a brilliant idea! I would love to see the link
> to the video if you can share that. Thanks,
>
> Jenny Dreyer
>
> ****************************************************
> Jennifer Dreyer (she/her)
> Research Manager
>
> Curator of VIMS Invertebrate Collection
> Virginia Institute of Marine Science
> PO Box 1346 (mailing)
>
> 1370 Greate Rd. (shipping)
> Gloucester Point, VA 23062
> Email: jcdrey at vims.edu<mailto:jcdrey at vims.edu>
> Phone: (804) 684-7903
>
> https://www.vims.edu/about/directory/faculty/other/dreyer_jc.php
>
> From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu><mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of
> William Simpson
> Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2022 1:49 PM
> To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu>
> Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Drones around real specimens?
>
> [EXTERNAL to VIMS received message]
>
> Hi All,
>
> I've just seen a promotional video taken by a drone flying inside a
> natural history museum, including getting close to real specimens such
> as mounted dinosaur skeletons.   What do you all think of this?  The
> video _is _a very engaging experience.  I am mulling over what message
> this sends to the public about a museum's attitude concerning its
> responsibilities for professional care vs increased public exposure.
> Do the benefits of such promotion justify this?
>
> Best,
>
> Bill
>
> --
>
> William F. Simpson (he)
> Head of Geological Collections
> McCarter Collections Manager, Fossil Vertebrates
> Gantz Family Collections Center
>
> Field Museum of Natural History
> 1400 South DuSable Lake Shore Drive
> Chicago, IL. 60605
> (312) 665-7628
> fieldmuseum.org [1]
>
>  [2]
>
>
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1]
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> [2]
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_______________________________________________
NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of
Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose
mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of
natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to
society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information.
Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.

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NHCOLL-L is brought to you by the Society for the Preservation of

Natural History Collections (SPNHC), an international society whose

mission is to improve the preservation, conservation and management of

natural history collections to ensure their continuing value to

society. See http://www.spnhc.org for membership information.

Advertising on NH-COLL-L is inappropriate.
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