I have been working for the Gallery as an intern as part of the Art and Management Professional and Talent International Exchange Program which was made possible through China International Culture Association. I did not realise how quickly three months would pass when I first landed New Zealand on 15 June. It has been such a rewarding experience which will always remain in my memory.
Back in China, I work for National Art Museum of China in Beijing specialising in the daily management and research of a wide range of collections, which was the focus of my internship at the Gallery. Before I had even arrived in New Zealand, the coordinators demonstrated their professionalism, dedication and, mostly importantly, their kind willingness to help. They had a made a detailed plan and my work at the Gallery was well conducted and followed the plan.
I am especially grateful to Catherine Lomas, Head of the Collection Services, who arranged a number of events to help me understand the overall management and functions of the Gallery in terms of its exhibitions, education programmes, research library, and the other services it offers as a public institution. I was invited to attend staff meetings and quiz night, which made me feel welcome and part of the team. In particular, I was impressed by the transparency, equality and mutual trust that has developed within the Gallery. I felt a strong sense of belonging and experienced the way this supports the Gallery to work.
I attended a number of training sessions delivered by Gallery conservators working on the conservation of collections of different materials and formats. I was part of the team working on the print room inventory project, sorting out 3,800 print artworks. We audited these records in the Vernon database. Together with colleagues, I partook in the transportation of works to off-site storage spaces.
To be a good registrar and conservator it is important to ‘get your hands dirty’. I was lucky enough to get hands-on experiences of installation and de-installation of several exhibitions curated and organised by the Gallery, for example, Love, Longing, Loss, and The Body Laid Bare: Masterpieces from Tate. In terms of research, I also got the opportunity to familiarise myself with how conservators draft condition reports and how the Gallery deals with copyright royalties and long-term loans, which allowed me to compare and contrast different practices in our countries.
在千帆之都邂逅艺术：与奥克兰美术馆的亲密接触——一名中国典藏员的实习体会
中国美术馆 杜志东
当第一次站在Kitchener street街头感受奥克兰美术馆新旧建筑的独特气质时；当第一次穿过贝壳杉木门柱开始沉浸于新西兰艺术的多元魅力时，我真切地感受到这里的一切正在讲述着这个国家的过去、现在乃至将来。本土与现代——这就是我眼中的奥克兰美术馆！
受中国对外文化交流协会“艺术专业与管理人才国际交流项目”的选派，我于2017年6月15日赴奥克兰美术馆进行了为期三个月的实习、交流。时光在充实的工作中悄然而逝，回首视之，收获满满，体会甚多。
和谐的工作氛围
我在任职的中国美术馆主要负责馆藏作品的日常管理与研究，故而此次实习也重点围绕此领域。藏品部主任Catherine和美术馆的同事们为我制定的实习内容丰富详尽，除了藏品的管理和保存，还我还对美术馆的展览、教育、图书馆、公众服务等诸多方面进行深入了解，作为美术馆的一员参加了员工会议和员工活动，开拓视野的同时也对馆内各项事务的透明化和彼此间的平等尊重留下了深刻印象，员工的归属感和凝聚力塑造了良好的美术馆形象。
从实践中习得
根据计划，我接受了来自藏品修复师关于不同材质、形制藏品的操作培训；完成了纸质藏品库3800余件作品的整理工作,并对这些作品在藏品管理系统中的信息进行了核查；与同事往来馆外藏品库房运送作品用以展览、出借；参与了“爱,渴望,怅然”展的布展及“裸露的躯体:来自泰特的杰作”展的撤展工作，除了这些实际的参与性工作，我还对修复师撰写藏品报告的过程进行了观摩；对美术馆藏品版权状况及长期借入藏品的具体流程与负责同事进行了深入交流。
体会与感触
通过以上这些丰富的经历，使我对奥克兰美术馆藏品管理的模式、方法及流程有了直观的认识；学习了奥克兰美术馆在藏品管理系统及藏品数字化方面的一些成功做法和先进理念；对藏品预防性保护的操作及重要性有了更加深刻的体会。我深深认识到，藏品是美术馆开展各项工作的基础，规范管理和科学养护不仅可提高工作效率更可为未来的藏品利用和研究提供强有力的保障，奥克兰美术馆拥有严格而规范的藏品管理制度，藏品管理人员更是秉持专业谨慎的职业素养，这些都是值得我学习的地方。
与奥克兰美术馆三个月零距离的接触不仅让我切身地感受了作为新西兰最大美术馆的成功所在，同时也与国外同行们结下了深厚的友谊，他们友善、热情，那些朝夕相处的时光注定会成为我人生中最有收获的岁月，愿有缘相识，他日相聚，希望未来中国美术馆与奥克兰美术馆能够在多个领域展开合作。
