ConservationSpace Update

In January of 2012, the  funded the continued development of the ConservationSpace initiative. The goal of ConservationSpace is to develop an open-source software application that will address a core need of the  conservation community for a shared solution to the problem of documentation management. The conservation community has long recognized that a digital approach to managing its documentation would improve continuity in procedures, increase access, expand research opportunities, and better ensure the preservation of its documents.

The National Gallery of Art remained as the lead institution. Six partner institutions also renewed their commitment to the project: Courtauld Institute of Art, Denver Art Museum, Indianapolis Museum of Art, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst, and Yale University. The NGA and its partners are poised to release the final Request for Proposals (RFP) and supporting documentation that will bring a software developer on board to build the first version of the system. Once the software developer is selected, the work to develop a “core” version will begin. This version will be a hosted BETA solution that will be tested by all of the partner institutions. The first version of ConservationSpace will focus on: examination (single object), examination or survey (multiple objects), treatment (single object), treatment (multiple objects), and basic document/system management.

On October 11, 2012 the NGA released, on behalf of the partners and the conservation community, the Request for Proposals to hire the developer to build the open source application. The full call for proposals can be seen by visiting the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fbo.gov.

The deadline for submissions is November 13, 2012. The NGA and project partners hope to award the contract by the end of 2012.

As part of the RFP development, the partners in working groups or teams, created a substantial dossier of documents, notes, and drawings to represent the “universe” of conservation work, documentation, and data. The NGA and the ConservationSpace team would like to direct interested parties to its Google work site. Although final versions of critical project documents will continue to be hosted on ConservationSpace.org, the Google site allows the conservation community to see the process and considerable effort of the partners behind the work to-date.

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation continues to generously support ConservationSpace, and the partner institutions remain committed to this challenging and exciting project.

For more information, visit www.conservationspace.org.

Christine E. McCarthy
Chief Conservator
Preservation Department
Yale University Library
130 Wall St.
New Haven, CT
203-432-1710

Call for Nominations: Paul Banks and Carolyn Harris Preservation Award

Deadline for nominations is December 1, 2012.

Please help recognize an outstanding colleague by nominating them for the Paul Banks and Carolyn Harris Award. The award is given to recognize the contribution of a professional preservation specialist who has been active in the field of preservation and/or conservation for library and/or archival materials. The winner will be determined by the person’s accomplishments as they relate to preservation leadership in such activities as:

  • Leadership in professional associations at local, state, regional or national level
  • Contributions to the development, application or utilization of new or improved methods, techniques and routines
  • Evidence of studies or research in preservation
  • Significant contribution to professional literature
  • Training and mentoring in the field of preservation

To submit a nomination, please send the following to the jury chair by the deadline

  • Name of nominee;
  • A formal statement of nomination, with a brief rationale for the nomination;
  • A resume or narrative career outline upon which the award jury can base its determinations.

Beth Doyle, Jury Chair
b.doyle [at] duke__edu
Duke University Libraries

Letters of endorsement are encouraged and should provide additional evidence of the worthiness of the nominee. Nominations for persons not selected for the award in one year may be updated and resubmitted. Current employees of Preservation Technologies are not eligible.

For complete information on the award including a list of jury members, please visit www.ala.org/alcts/awards/profrecognition/banksharris

Buffalo State College Art Conservation Department Changes Application Deadline

The Buffalo State College Art Conservation Department has changed its application for admission deadline to January 7, 2013. If you are interested in applying for admission or know of someone who may

be, please make a note of this change and visit artconservation.buffalostate.edu/apply for more information and updated application materials.

Meredeth Lavelle
Program Manager
Art Conservation Department
Buffalo State College

Luce Grant Helps Cornell Create Preservation Training Program for Chinese Libraries

Starting in November, 2012 Cornell University Library will help preserve valuable books and prevent damage from natural disasters thousands of miles across the ocean.

Thanks to a $180,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation, the Library is beginning an internship program that will allow representatives from four libraries in China come to Ithaca to study

with experts in the library’s Department of Preservation and Conservation.

Cornell’s preservation experience, facilities and expertise will show the eight interns how to mitigate the immediate physical risks that threaten some of China’s most significant historical

collections and greatly extend the life of their valuable books.

“Knowledge creation is global. With fewer barriers to cross-border research, the well-being of collections in other countries is directly linked to the research we do at Cornell and around the world, and it benefits from their accessibility,” said Xin Li, Associate University Librarian for Central Library Operations. “Helping Chinese librarians preserve these materials ensures they’ll be around for the long run, which is part of the global mission of a land-grant university.”

Four leading academic libraries in Beijing–Renmin University Library, Peking University Library, Tsinghua University Library and the China Agricultural University Library–will participate in the program. Its first session begins Nov. 1, 2012 with two interns coming to Cornell at a time. Over the course of two years, each of the interns will attend two six-week workshops.

Interns will learn conservation of Western bindings, non-damaging exhibition practices and care and handling of collections, as well as how to prevent mold and mitigate water damage.

By the end of the program, interns will not only be able to implement preservation and disaster plans at their own libraries, but also help train other librarians, archivists and technicians at other institutions in China. An enhanced online preservation tutorial translated into Chinese will also allow library staff members to continue mentoring and advising the interns even after the project is over.

“Our ‘train-the-trainers’ model, combined with our online tutorial, means we can reach far beyond the people we’re training in person,” said Barbara Berger Eden, director of preservation at Cornell. “This program requires a combination of specialized skills that our Library can offer: singular expertise in traditional conservation skills and the innovative use of cutting-edge technology.”

“The preservation of endangered materials will benefit scholarship,” said Helena Kolenda, Program Director for Asia at the Luce Foundation. “This training program will also serve to build bridges between the library communities in the United States and China.”

To learn more visit www.library.cornell.edu/preservation.

New Issue of e-conservation Magazine Released for Download

We are pleased to announce that issue is now online and available to read and download from www.e-conservationline.com.

This is one of the most exhaustive issues we have published so far ncluding a large range of articles on conservation science, 3D documentation, preventive conservation and practical interventions, among others. We hope you will enjoy reading it. Follow them on facebook, twitter, and their blog.

Index
Issue 24,Autumn 2012
ISSN: 1646-9283

Editorial

Viral Conservation
By Rui Bordalo

News and Views

Profound Sounds: an Accidental Pilgrimage with John Cage
By Daniel Cull

Reviews

The Renaissance Workshop: The Materials and Techniques of Renaissance Art
Reviewed by Helen Glanville

Polychrome Sculpture: Artistic Tradition and Construction Techniques
Reviewed by Ana Bidarra

Connecting to Conservation: Outreach and Advocacy
Reviewed by Rose Cull

Copying, Replicating and Emulating Paintings in the 15th-18th Century
Reviewed by Sue Ann Chui

French Bronzes: History, Material and Techniques of Bronze    Sculpture in France (16th-18th centuries)
Reviewed by Carol Grissom

Conservation Matters in Wales
Reviewed by Rachel Robbins

CMA4CH 2012: Use of Multivariate Analysis and Chemometrics in     Cultural Heritage and Environment
Reviewed by Luciano D’Alessio and Pierina Ielpo

Interview

International Conservation Workshop Lopud: Student Perspectives
By Sagita Mirjam Sunara

Articles

British Carlo Maratta Picture Frame: Technical Examination and Restoration Process
By Damian Lizun

Study and Conservation of the Painting “Paul III and Ranzio Farnese” by Parmigianino
By Fatma Helmi, Osama El-Feky and Yasmeen Alam Eldin

A Comparative Study of the Use of Aquazol in Paintings Conservation
By Elisabetta Bosetti

A Flexible Crossbar System for a 19th Century Panel Painting
By Angeliki Bakalarou, Charis Theodorakopoulos

Study and Conservation of the City Center of Shahr-e Ray, Iran
By Vahid Heidary

3D Documentation Using Terrestrial Laser Scanning of the Remains  of the Jesuit Mission in the Region of Lake Tana, Ethiopia
By Christian Dietz, Gianluca Catanzariti, Pablo de la Presa,  Victor M. Fernandez and Alfredo Jimeno Martinez

Between Tradition and Innovation: 3D Documentation of Enna’s monuments
By Antonella Versaci and Alessio Cardaci

Brushes for Retouching: How to Choose Them
By Ana Bailao and Sandra Sustic

The Use and Influence of Varnish on Paintings
By Marc Maire

Preventive Conservation of the Bark Cloth Collection of The University of Queensland Anthropology Museum
By Kate Stanway

Preventive Conservation: a Key Method to Ensure Cultural Heritage’s Authenticity and Integrity in Preservation Process
By Heidi Wirilander

The Concept of Cultural Heritage Preservation
By Ali Miri

Book Reviews

The AIC Guide to Digital Photography and Conservation Documentation, 2nd Edition
By Rose Cull

Materials, Technologies, Practice in Historic Heritage Structures
By Mirela Anghelache

Call for Papers: “Polychrome Sculpture: Decorative Practice and Artistic Tradition”

Interim Meeting of the ICOM-CC Working Group – Sculpture, Polychromy, and Architectural Decorations

Hosted by Tomar Polytechnic Institute
Tomar, Portugal
28-29 May 2013

This two day symposium will focus on artistic tradition within the field of polychrome sculpture relating to decorative practice. After two symposiums on construction techniques (Maastricht 2010 and Glasgow 2012), the main focus will now be on decorative practices, from painting materials, to varnishes or metal leaf applications, etc.

The meeting will be hosted by the Polytechnic Institute, Tomar (Portugal). Tomar is well known for the Convent of the Order of Christ (12th century),–originally a Templar stronghold–and one of Portugal’s most important historical and artistic monuments, classified as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1983. The Polytechnic Institute provides training for conservators in the form of a Master degree course in Conservation and Restoration.

The organizing committee and the ICOM-CC working group Sculpture, Polychromy, and Architectural Decoration invites papers and posters related to decorative practices within the field of polychrome sculpture and the conservation treatment of these objects. Several decorative techniques will be addressed such as painting techniques from different regions, gilding, estofado , use of incised and punched patterns, varnishes, lacquers, applications, etc.

The meeting will provide a forum for discussion between conservators, conservation scientists, researchers, educators and curators to discuss artistic practice within the field of polychrome sculpture. The symposium aims to bring together  international experts on polychrome decorative practice and to provide an opportunity for the worldwide conservation community to exchange new research, experiences and expertise within this field.

Original papers are invited for submission to focus on case studies and advances in research and treatment of polychrome sculpture. Authors interested in presenting a paper or poster should submit an abstract (400 – 600 words) by 31 December, 2012 to icomccspadtomar2013 [at] gmail__com

Work should be original and not have been published previously. Contributions of work-in-progress are also welcome. Abstracts should be in English and include the contact information for the author(s) (affiliation, address, telephone, fax and e-mail). The abstracts will be reviewed by the Conference Organizing Committee, and authors will be informed by 31 January 2013. Full papers are to be delivered by 30 April 2013. It is the intention of the organisers to publish all accepted papers in English.

Further details regarding this conference will be posted on the home page of the ICOM-CC Working Group: Sculpture, Polychromy, and Architectural Decoration, which is at www.icom-cc.org/38/working-groups/sculpture,-polychromy,-and-architectural-decoration

The Conference Organizing Committee:

Ana Bidarra
ICOM-CC Working Group Assistant Coordinator: Sculpture, Polychromy, and Architectural Decoration
Private Conservator-Restorer
Rua Almirante Candido dos Reis No. 28 3T
3800-096 Aveiro
Portugal
+351 966590968
bidarra.ana [at] gmail__com

Kate Seymour
ICOM-CC Working Group Coordinator: Sculpture, Polychromy, and Architectural Decoration
Head of Education
Stichting Restauratie Atelier Limburg (SRAL)
Avenue Ceramique 224
6221 KX Maastricht
The Netherlands
+31 43 321 8444
k.seymour [at] sral__nl

Call for Papers: Heritage Wood – Research and Conservation in the 21st Century

Joint Interim Conference of three ICOM-CC working groups:

Wood, Furniture, and Lacquer
Scientific Research
Sculpture, Polychromy, and Architectural Decoration

National Museum in Warsaw, Poland
28-30 October, 2013

Hosted in collaboration with the National Museum in Warsaw, and the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw

The conference entitled “Heritage Wood: Research and Conservation in the 21st Century ” will focus on novel scientific methods and applied research into heritage wooden structures, as well as furniture, wooden sculpture, painted wood, gilded wood, varnished wood, lacquered wood, paintings on wooden supports, and all other heritage wooden objects.

Themes will include:

  • Advances in scientific research applied to heritage wood for analysis and conservation
  • The study and elucidation of mechanisms of wood damage and wood deterioration associated with environmental and physical conditions
  • The interrelation between the wood and various finishing layers
  • Novel conservation methods applied to unvarnished, varnished, polychrome, or gilded wood (sculptures, paintings on wooden supports, furnishings and furniture, architectural structures and decorations)
  • Case studies highlighting problems associated with heritage wood conservation, novel solutions and appropriate treatments
  • Case studies emphasizing complex research of artworks on wooden supports linking technical investigations with historical context and subsequent conservation treatment

The meeting will provide a forum for discussion between conservation scientists, researchers, educators and practising conservators. The conference aims to bring together international experts on heritage wood research and to provide a great opportunity for the worldwide conservation community to exchange new research, experiences and expertise.

It is the intention of the organizers to publish all accepted papers in English, however oral presentations at the conference will be allowed in both official languages of the meeting, Polish and English, and simultaneous translation will be provided.

Call for Papers deadline: February 28, 2013

Original papers are invited for submission to focus on case studies and advances in heritage wood research. Authors interested in presenting a paper or poster should submit an abstract (400 – 600 words) by February 28, 2013, to     heritagewoodconservation2013 [at] gmail__com

Work should be original and not have been published previously. Contributions of work-in-progress are also welcome. Abstracts should be in English or Polish and include the contact information for the author(s) (affiliation, address, telephone, fax and e-mail). The abstracts will be reviewed by the Conference Organizing Committee and invited experts, and authors will be informed by April 30, 2013.

The Conference Organizing Committee:

Kate Seymour
Coordinator, ICOM-CC Sculpture, Polychromy, and Architectural Decoration Working Group
k.seymour [at] sral__nl

Austin Nevin
Coordinator, ICOM-CC Scientific Research Working Group,
austin.nevin [at] ifn__cnr__it

Dr Malgorzata Sawicki
Coordinator, ICOM-CC Wood, Furniture, and Lacquer Working Group
margaret.sawicki [at] ag__nsw__gov__au

Marcin Draniak
Coordinator–contacts with the Director, Head of Laboratory, National Museum in Warsaw
mdraniak [at] mnw__art__pl

Dr Elzbieta Pietrusinska-Pilecka
Art Science and Conservation Specialist
National Museum in Warsaw
epilecka [at] mnw__art__pl

Dorota Ignatowicz-Wozniakowska
Head of Conservation Department,
National Museum in Warsaw
dignatowicz [at] mnw__art__pl

Prof. Iwona Szmelter
Faculty of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw
badania [at] asp__waw__pl

Call for Nominations: George Cunha and Susan Swartzburg Preservation Award

The  was established by the Preservation and Reformatting Section (PARS) to honor the memory of George Cunha and Susan Swartzburg, early leaders in cooperative preservation programming and strong advocates for collaboration in the field of preservation.

The award acknowledges and supports cooperative preservation projects and/or rewards individuals or groups that foster collaboration for preservation goals. Recipients of the George Cunha and Susan Swartzburg Award demonstrate vision, endorse cooperation and advocate for the preservation of published and primary source resources that capture the richness of our cultural patrimony. The award recognizes the leadership and initiative required to build collaborative networks designed to achieve specific preservation goals. Any person or group is eligible for this award; membership in ALA is not required. The Cunha/Swartzburg Award is sponsored by Hollinger Metal Edge and includes a $1,250 grant and citation.

Send nominations, including the name of the person or group being nominated; address, phone number and email address of nominee and nominating party; a formal statement of nomination, with rationale for the nomination; resume, vita or extensive narrative career outline upon which the award jury can base its determination; and letters of support and endorsement, to Kris Kern, chair, Cunha/Swartzburg Jury, kernk [at] pdx__edu

For more information, visit www.ala.org/alcts/awards/profrecognition/lbicunhaswartz

Kristen Kern
Fine and Performing Arts Librarian
Portland State Library
503-725-5218

Concerning the Ecce Homo by Borja, Spanish and Catalan Conservators Want to Report

This summer Spain has been in the limelight due to an improper intervention on a artistic work of art, executed by a painting amateur in good faith, but without the knowledge to carry out this task.

It has been a long time since we, conservators, have begun struggling for the correct conservation of our cultural heritage and today we are disconcerted as much by the constant loss that  e notice everyday (what happened in Borja is not an isolated example), as by the type of news the media have transmitted to the whole world. It is sad that the majority of our society underestimate our profession.

For this reason, we would first like to clarify who we are and what we do.

The conservator:

  • performs an activity of public interest
  • differs from other professionals by his/her specific
  • education in conservation of cultural heritage
  • is not an artist nor a craftsman

It is the professional that has the training and the experience to act on cultural heritage with the aim to preserve it for future generations, always according to the guidelines of an international code of deontology. Secondly, we want to report that neither the Spanish law of historical heritage, neither the laws of the different autonomies in Spain, guarantee the correct protection of our heritage. None of these laws recognises the figure of the conservator as the only one professional with the necessary competences to diagnose and take part in all that regards the conservation of cultural heritage.

In attempting to change this situation, we claim that:

  1. To guarantee the preservation of cultural heritage and its correct transmission to future generations our profession has to be regulated and recognised. Consequently the access and the exercise of the profession of conservator has to be governed by specific juridical norms and the professional title has to be clear-cut and recognised at State level.
  2. The conservators, through the professional associations, have to be represented in the consultative organisms at national and autonomic level, so that they can look over the good practice and correct conservation of cultural heritage.
  3. The system of professional and business qualifications for tenders and public bids have to be clarified, with standards specified to conservation. 4.  A register of qualified conservators needs to be created.

Tourism being one of the main economic dynamics on which our country has bet to get us out of the crisis, we conservators believe that this could and should have to be a sustainable and quality cultural tourism. To preserve a unique cultural heritage, to possess an excellent preventive conservation plan and to have the best specialists to take care of our cultural heritage should have been the headlines in the national and international media. Something does not work when it looks like
a joke and the more lousy the work is, the more rewarded it is when this should inspire shame and indignation. It is essential, for any country with values, to bet for quality in our work, carried out by qualified professionals. As we have understood
that the protection of the environment is of special importance for our quality of life, society also have to be conscious of the importance of culture and the worth of its correct conservation. And it is in this field where the conservator has a great role to play.  We have had enough of allowing unqualified people to work indirectly on our cultural heritage, Our heritage is in danger, lot’s save it.

Signed:

Grup Tecnic
Associacio Professional dels Conservadors-Restauradors de bens culturals de Catalunya

ACRE
Associacion de Conservadores-Restauradores de Espana

ARCC
Associacio de Conservadors-Restauradors de Catalunya

GEIIC
Grupo Espanol de Conservacion. International Institute for Conservation

Agnes Gall-Ortlik
President of the Grup Tecnic

Club Quarters Announces Rewards Program

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