Conference: Colors of the Andes
CAROLE FRARESSO
In 25 years, the fields of archaeology and museography have undergone profound transformations. In Peru, I have been actively involved in this evolution for 20 years.
Initially as a PhD student at the French Institute of Andean Studies in Lima, I noted that there were no archaeologists specializing in pre-Columbian goldsmithing. Many museum collections lacked contextual information regarding their discovery, and technological investigations were seldom utilized. These investigations, however, play a crucial role in identifying materials, determining appropriate restoration interventions, recovering traditional production chains, and gaining a deeper understanding of the cultural and technical choices made by ancient societies.
At the same time, archaeology in Peru was reaching its peak, with several archaeological projects leading to significant discoveries of Moche royal tombs. I immersed myself in the richness of these unprecedented collections in situ.
Following my research on ancient Peruvian adornments, I was invited by the Museo Larco in Lima to contribute to its renovation. The concept of enhancing pre-Columbian collections was revisited, updated, and modernized; the museum transformed into a genuine place of initiation.
For the past 20 years, I have traveled across Peru to investigate the remnants of the past and enrich the history of its civilizations. For the World Heritage Exhibitions, Völklinger Hütte, the MEG of Geneva, the Musée des Amériques d'Auch, and other institutions, I have participated in exhibitions, designed exclusive jewelry collections, written articles, delivered lectures, and conducted studies on art objects.
Today, as a specialist and founder of Maison Motché, I dedicate my expertise, passion, and professional network to the recovery and preservation of Peru's jewelry heritage.
Photo credit: Thierry Joubert