In her article “Objects and wellbeing” Elizabeth Pye (2020) discusses intimacy and wellbeing that can come with physical touch to an object belonging to a museum. She points out that preserving objects behind glass can cut the connection between it and the people, thus creating distance. By touching the object, people gain a chance to connect with it, the craftmanship and the history that lies behind it. An action that itself can be inspiring and give connection (Pye, 2020). In the article Pye points out the importance of valuing the craftmanship among museum items. Their workmanship should be equally measured to the artists craftmanship. It discusses the materiality of the wood and metal; a beautiful harmony can be found by the materiality of the workshops of the Technical Museum. People’s memories are often connected to objects and by looking at the objects closely there can become a connection to personal memories, the history of the object and to the time it was in use (Pye, 2020; Dodd and Jones, 2014; Collins, 2007; Morse, 2021). Just like Pye describes a metal object: “A cold, hard metal stick could show clear traces of a hammer and decorative curves that were worked into the piece while it was glowing hot, soft and manageable” (Pye, 2020, p. 164). A beautiful harmony can be detected between Pye’s writing (2020) and the work of the Technical Museum where she describes the materiality of wood and metal. She peers into the intimacy and wellbeing that can be found in handling objects and the connection to the craftmanship. In his work at the Technical Museum Zuhaitz has created a space for a direct contact between the guests of the museum and the material, both in the repair shops and in the workshops of the museum (Zuhaitz Akizu, oral source, June 23rd 2021). Pye (2020) talks about a personal connection to wood shaving from her father’s workshop in her youth, which calls to the personal connection Zuhaitz talks about with a skill from the upbringing.
Collins, G. (2007). Tangible reminders of Sept. 11th. in S. J. Knell (editor), Museums in the material world. Routledge.
Dodd, J. and Jones, C. (2014). Mind, body, spirit. How museums impact health and wellbeing. Research Centre for Museums and Galleries.. ISBN -1-898489-49-8
Morse, N. (2021). The museum as a space for social care. Routledge.
Pye, E. (2020). Objects and wellbeing: A personal view. Í R. F. Peters, I. L. F. den Boer, J. S. Johnson, & S. Pancaldo (editor), Heritage Conservation and Social Engagement. UCL Press. https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctv13xps1g.17