Welcome Remarks
Dear ICAMT members, distinguished colleagues and esteemed friends,
Dear ICAMT Conference participants and attendees,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the 50th Annual Conference of the International Committee for Architecture and Museum Techniques. This year's conference holds special significance as we celebrate the 75th year of ICAMT's dedication to fostering the dialogue concerning its main themes.
ICAMT – the International Committee for Architecture and Museums Techniques - is one of the first International Committees of ICOM, listed in ICOM News on October 1st, 1948. Throughout its rich history, ICAMT has consistently provided a platform where knowledge, best practices, and ideas converge. We strive to create an active forum for professionals, drawing together diverse perspectives from architecture, museum techniques, and exhibition design. Our annual conferences are a demonstration of this commitment, offering a space for meaningful exchange.
The theme for this significant conference, "Encountering Transition – Reshaping Museum Architecture, Exhibition Design and Techniques in Response to Global/Local Changes," reflects the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape in which museums operate today. As we navigate a world characterized by technological advancements, shifting cultural paradigms, and environmental imperatives, our museums must be agile, adaptable, and responsive to these challenges.
I am confident that the exchange between Western and Eastern experts, the exploring of both architectural traditions, the insights shared, and the ideas generated during the conference will be valuable and will have an impact on the museums we serve. Your presence and active participation are invaluable as we navigate these complex but also stimulating transitions.
As we embark on this intellectual journey together, I'd like to take a moment to acknowledge the community that makes events like this possible. With over 700 individual and 25 institutional members from around the world, I believe ICAMT represents a powerful collective dedicated to advancing knowledge in our field. To further this goal, we will be making the conference proceedings available online, ensuring that these valuable insights are accessible to all.
I extend my deepest gratitude to our esteemed hosts, the National Museum of Prehistory of Taiwan and the Ministry of Culture, as well as all the host institutions, museums, and city authorities who have graciously opened their doors to us. We are also indebted to our generous sponsors, whose massive support has made this conference possible.
A special thank you to our distinguished keynote speakers, whose expertise will undoubtedly inspire and enlighten us. I also extend my heartfelt appreciation to all the presenters, whose contributions will enrich our understanding of the conference themes. To our attendees - your engagement and active participation in discussions are vital to the success of this event.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge the tireless efforts of the organizing committee, composed of ICAMT board members and a group of colleagues from Taiwan, whose dedication and hard work have been vital in bringing this conference to fruition.
May this conference serve as a valuable resource and a source of inspiration for all who are passionate about museum architecture, techniques and the evolving role of museums in our society.
Thank you once again for your commitment to ICAMT and to the advancement of museum practices. I encourage you to actively participate and enjoy the conference!
Sincerely,
Nana Meparishvili
Chair of ICAMT
Director's Welcome Remarks
Dear experts, scholars, and friends from around the world who are passionate about museum issues, ngai'ay ho （This is a greeting in the Amis language）. Before I extend my warmest welcome to you, please allow me to pay tribute to the spirits that had been attended to by the sky, sun, and stars. It is through the existence and inclusivity of breaths coming from all directions that we are able to gather here today, on this Indigenous territory, and discuss our shared past and future.
I amFuturu. On behalf of the host organizer of the ICAMT 2024 Taiwan Conference, National Museum of Prehistory, I would like to welcome museum professionals, architecture experts, exhibition designers, and technology innovators to Taitung. We will explore how museums respond to global/ local changes that reshape architecture, exhibition design, and techniques. Whether it is cross-cultural museum architecture, current trends of exhibition design, or exploration of museum techniques and sustainable development, we are confronted with these underlying challenges to address changes. This gathering is expected to spark inspirations for the development of museums worldwide, just like white waves that rise and crash from the Kuroshio Current of the Pacific Ocean, nourishing this land.
There is a saying in the Amis people living in the eastern coast of Taiwan, aka la lima, which means “don't be taken down by the fifth wave.” This metaphor originates from the traditional practice of free-diving fishermen who, upon entering the water and facing relentless waves, draw on the accumulated knowledge, their practical experience, and the courage within their heart to navigate through challenges. It assures people who have overcome the fifth wave that they will ultimately find a smooth course ahead. We, as museum practitioners, are like these brave souls, who reposition ourselves in the global cultural action with steadfast practice and a spirit of innovation. In 2023, the National Museum of Prehistory underwent architectural renovation, updated and reopened the long-term exhibition. We invite each guest to be more connected with museums through this annual conference, going deeper to understand how this museum echoes with current issues under global changes. It becomes an intersection penetrating the past and the future and meeting with the world.
I wish everyone fruitful discussion in the annual conference and transcend the “fifth wave.”
National Museum of Prehistory
Director Futuru C.L. Tsai