This site visit builds on the previous lecture about neon craftsmanship as an intangible cultural heritage, shedding light on M+ Museum’s commitment to conserving Hong Kong’s visual culture.  

Since 2013, the Museum has been actively acquiring neon signs from the streets and design sketches from various local practitioners, reflecting its dedication to preserving this unique art form. Participants will gain insights into the Museum’s conservation efforts, with contributions from the archival and conservation teams, along with a guided viewing of the design sketches of neon signs and other collections. This tour offers the audience a fresh perspective on the topic, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding these cultural artifacts for future generations. 

The M+ Research Centre located on the 5th floor is a crucial component of the M+ Museum, providing researchers with access to the collections on-site. It is home to various archives and library collections, including M+ Collection Archives, M+ Reference Library, M+ Library Special Collection, and M+ Institutional Archive. During the tour, selected objects and titles, particularly from the Collection Archives and Reference Library, will be showcased in the Centre, offering insights into the collections and services available. Following the tour, participants can explore the exhibitions according to their preferences (admission fees apply). Please be aware that the galleries will close at 10:00 pm on the day. 

Mr. CM YIP  

In 2022, CM YIP, RASHK Honorary Archivist and M+ Senior Manager, Archives and Library, joined M+ to oversee around 80 arts archives and manage the M+ Research Centre. Prior to joining M+, CM held roles as an archivist at the Hong Kong Jockey Club Archive and Manulife Hong Kong Archive, where he honed his skills in preserving and managing business heritage. Apart from his professional expertise, CM also has a keen personal interest in local history, culture, and advocating for the preservation of the city’s heritage. 

Ms. Zaffer CHAN 

Chan Sui Ying Zaffer is an associate conservator specializing in paper conservation at M+ Museum in Hong Kong. She began her career as an assistant conservator, where she developed hands-on skills in the care and treatment of paper-based cultural objects. With postgraduate training in Museology and Conservation of Cultural Relics from Tainan National University of the Arts, and Fine Arts from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Zaffer’s work combines technical precision with a deep understanding of material history and cultural preservation.

M+ Archives and Library team

The M+ Archives and Library team comprises professionals with expertise in reference services, institutional archives, library, and collection archives.  The team plays a crucial role in managing various collections and providing support for the museum’s operations, exhibitions, publications, and programs.  Additionally, the squad operates a Research Centre that provides access to collections for researchers, scholars, students, and the public.  This team is unique in that they take care of both collections and visitors, while also promoting research and the use of collections.  To achieve mutually beneficial outcomes, the team collaborates with other professionals such as art historians, conservators, photographers, curators, programmers, copyright managers, registrars, designers, and others to develop potential solutions for presenting the collections.