Present an Archival Exhibition at Pratt Institute Library? | Kelsey Kiantoro
For Kelsey Kiantoro, presenting an archive isn't about showing everything — it's about leaving room for discussion.
Bagi Kelsey Kiantoro, Digital Archivist at Pratt Institute Archive, the key is to leave the process parts just as hints, letting the audience question the details.
Jadi, what was it like to present an archival exhibition at Pratt Institute Library?
"When presenting an archive, left the process parts just as hints, we don't have to present all of them. Let them question the details; hence, there is room for discussion."
Kelsey Kiantoro
T& (T&DON): What's it like presenting an archival exhibition inside a historic space like Pratt Institute Library?
KK (Kelsey Kiantoro): This is my first time presenting an archive exhibition to represent the legacy of the Pratt Archive; that's quite an honor.
We've prepared the exhibition in quite a tight timeline. But with all the support from my manager, the archive director, and my partner, I felt pretty confident.
Can't lie, it's not an easy task, but the community is supportive, and a good thing about the archive is that the source of truth is apparent.
For context, I worked in a library, so it's my everyday environment. Getting used to the place or the act of presenting helps. Another thing is knowing your audience will help you form your storytelling style. Knowing the material is one thing; learning how to make it enjoyable is another.
T&: How do you explain technical archive work (digitizing, cataloging) in a way audiences can actually relate to?
KK: Left the process parts just as hints, we don't have to present all of them. Let them question the details; hence, there is room for discussion. Again, knowing the presentation format helps.
In my case, the star is the exhibition itself. The audience is upcoming Library & Information Science students, so they might not be familiar with some of the vocabulary.
Using analogies with typical cases, like putting things in boxes for classification, will make the process less intimidating, and I left some reading references.
T&: What's the hardest part of turning archival findings into a clear curatorial narrative?
KK: I worked as an assistant archivist myself, so I can easily navigate the resource. Working on the backend gives you insight into how this information is organized, so it's easy to find stuff.
To present, not so much — I've offered to clients many times, as I run my creative studio. But we need to write a blog afterwards, that's where I find the learning curve. This is my first time actually writing a blog under a publisher.
I used AI to help with structure, but missed seeing the essence — the solution is to reread the materials and review with your manager or supervisor.
T&: After going through the full process, what technical aspect changed how you see the role of an archivist in an exhibition space?
KK: An archivist is similar to a Google SEO manager — they help people find the information they need by 'organizing' and 'storing' it according to specific rules.
There is a whole technical side, and the rules settled in cataloging are a whole new world. However, the role can change depending on the environment: in agencies or companies, similar tasks are often handled by a Digital Asset Manager (DAM).
This role acts like an internal Google, managing and maintaining the quality of digital assets within an organization. Especially in the age of AI, the focus is on improving the quality of these assets, even if it doesn't increase their quantity.
3 practical tips we can learn from Kelsey's archival journey:
1. Know your materials.
Cite them, cite your sources, and understand your audiences.
2. Always make it two-ways.
Be open for discussion and let the audience respond as well.
3. Prepare. Get inspired. Get familiar.
Get comfortable with your slides and don't stress about covering everything. Watch great speakers from TED, ADGI, talk shows, and borrow the techniques that work.
