Spring Break
Museums at war: a fight for survival
Abigael Thienel
Issue date: 4/3/09 Section: Focus
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Mares opened the discussion by commenting on the status of the environment. "Most of the species we know are going to be studied in museums," he said. By showing his concern for the protection of museums through his life work as a scientist, Mares represents one of the very few who are fully aware of the danger museums are in.
Mares has focused his work on the ecology, biogeography and systematic conservation of the mammals of South America. He has worked in various locales all over the world, studying their environments and receiving a National Science Foundation grant for his research, which in turn led to the discovery of many new species and several new genera of mammals.
Mares proved to be a very educated and passionate researcher, fully understanding the importance of salvaging university museums. Through some unique comparisons, he succeeded in relating the preservation of museums to the art of war.
In Mares' opinion, museums have an unmistakable similarity to countries at war. War is known as a struggle for survival; these museums are struggling to survive in a world that appreciates their benefits less and less.
In a war, there are at least two parties that are both trying to have their voices heard; the same is true for museums. The people who grasp their importance are fighting to keep the museums alive, while others do not fully fathom the repercussions of their destruction.
And, as always, there is a struggle for resources, meaning people, materials and support. Mares believes that 'wars' over these resources can be found everywhere in the United States and stresses this belief through the words of Frank Gifford: "Pro football is like nuclear warfare; there are no winners, only survivors."
By intertwining facts about the persistence of war in everyday American life, Mares showed how this ongoing 'war' is present in the fight to save museums.
Mares also used inspiration from Sun Tzu's book "Art of War," advocating nonviolent tactics to overcome one's enemy. He explained how the preservation of museums would be made easier by gaining the support of contractors, museum caretakers and powerful campus units.
Mares also warned that failure to pay close attention to the realities of fire, flood, natural disaster and neglect that could overcome museums often lead to their demise. By stressing the importance of the fact that museums are a university's gateway to the past - which is presently becoming endangered, extinct, or otherwise forgotten - Mares reiterated the importance of university museum collections, saying that "we will eventually study life by studying collections."
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