Michael Sand Archives

Sharing the work of Michael Sand (1940-2013), museum and exhibit designer, educator, multidimensional human. A work in progress/labor of love by @sdesignlabs

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Definition-by-committee is HARD: "Each of these subtle shifts signals that the museum world is moving towards...a more level network of people and institutions rather than a neutral position of privileged authority and significance." https://t.co/W1uR5e4NXu

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

“Using [@fotmproject], educators can let students’ curiosity drive the conversation about the past…” // Michael spent much of his early career developing curriculum like this. Amazing to see students connecting to history so powerfully.
https://t.co/rcrDAuoyl2

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Worked on the finding aid today, so researchers have some idea of what institutions and materials we have. Not being an archivist, I find myself second-guessing almost every decision I make. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

When Michael married Margaret in 1969, he convinced her to move into an old Cambridge gas station, which he converted into their home and his studio. It was featured in this 1970 lifestyle magazine. See more pics & quotes: https://t.co/3eDKzj9Qwe

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Finally back in the space after two years of pandemic and it feels GOOD. First step: set up a work space for processing materials.

Apologies to archivists everywhere for the ☕️ but it gets COLD in a Massachusetts storage space in the dead of winter!

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Been a minute! Finally returned to building out a better archive architecture. Getting closer��

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Salary Negotiation for Archivists (free @archivists_org webinar on 4/28): https://t.co/Uih0lNjstK

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

@lindsey_green @artlust I use “browse projects” currently, but that fits (mostly) w/ the nature of the collection (commercial work). Once I get more candid photo work online, that may need to change. This is an amazing thread; I hope you’ll share your testing results!

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Anyone can be a museum curator with this game: https://t.co/84SCZsTPqo The game "posits an alternative form of institution, one free from colonial histories, strict genre restraints..." Sounds pretty cool to me!

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

@DarrenMilligan @SmithsonianLab So good!

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Oh hell yes. “Maintenance Workers at Metropolitan Museum Receive 63% Pay Increase”: https://t.co/Wvf2Q13OJH

#livingwage #workingstiff #fairisfair

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

This. Is. So. Good. The sort of thing I reflexively go to email to Pop. Instead, I catch myself and share here. ❤️

[Margaret Middleton @magmidd]

By popular request, Family Inclusive Language poster now available! https://t.co/x90t67aaRt @AAMers @incluseum

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Anyone who thinks digitization is the answer to collection preservation better have another think coming. It's an endless, vicious, digital spiral to hell. I can't even think about his hard drives right now. So. much. work.

#jobsecurity #ohwaitIdontgetpaidforthis

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

That's a wrap (for now). Today I fly 3,000 miles away from this collection again. Temporarily rehoused dozens of slide carousels that'd been stored on their side w/ foam dust knocking around every time a box was moved. Numbered 105 boxes...

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

I'll also need to do something about the film and video/audio tape. There's a ton of it, and it's suffering (some of it is in really bad shape). Ironically, Michael had the old film (going as far back as '38) digitized...in the '80s, onto VHS tapes... 🤦🏻‍♀️

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Throughout the ‘80s and beyond, Michael’s trusty slide projector went almost everywhere with him. With thousands of slides in the collection, it’s a good thing he hung onto it!

#familyheirlooms #analog #vintage #eighties #archivetreasures

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

...This reel of Kodak Super-X Panchromatic safety film labeled with my grandfather’s (Michael’s dad) name is a great example. This should probably go into freezer, but I’d have to haul it all back to Cali & buy a stand-up freezer to hold it all.

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

Flew 3,000 miles to spend three full days in the archives (aka a storage space in middle Massachusetts). First priority: identify at-risk materials...

[Michael Sand Archives @MSandArchives]

“The most vexing time-based media conservation issue may be software-based art.” https://t.co/QzNrL7uRaB // I immediately think of Michael’s ComputerCade, built for the Museum of Science in the ‘80s. It featured a bunch of early Macintoshes installed w/ custom software.