Conservation

Question 1

Preventative conservation

Answer 1

involves preserving works of art by controlling the environments in which they are displayed, stored and transported.

Question 2

Restorative conservation

Answer 2

involves repairs to the work and requires specialist training and expertise.

Question 3

Gallery efforts to protect works depends on…

Answer 3

-Significance of the work.
- Value of the work.
- Resources available to conserve the work.

Question 4

Environmental factors that contribute to deterioration

Answer 4

• Light, temperature, relative humidity.
• Dust accumulation and insect activity.
• poor storage and display materials.
• incorrect handling.

Question 5

Handling & Checking

Answer 5

• Using gloves wen hanging works on paper.
• Creating adequate viewing space b/w works.
• paying attention to light levels.
• Keeping storage and display areas clear of dust and toxic materials.

Curators will check works regularly for damage, movement, and any changes to the work.

Question 6

Light

Answer 6

• causes colour to fade, paper to discolour and become embrittled.
• damage caused by light is cumulative and irreversible.
• B/c light is required to view artworks, deterioration can only be minimized, not eliminated when on display.

Recommended light intensity levels:
- Highly light-sensitive materials, such as paper or textiles, 50 lux.
- Less sensitive materials such as oil paintings and wooden objects, 150-250 lux.
- Ceramics, stone and glass have low sensitivity, up to 300 lux.

Question 7

Temperature and Relative Humidity

Answer 7

• Relative humidity is the amount of water vapour in the air at a particular temperature, as against the maximum amount of moisture the air could hold at that temp.
  -Temp and RH are measured with a thermohydrometer.

Recommended temp and RH for most works:
- 20 degrees +/- 2 degrees (temp)
- 50% +/- 5% (RH)

Question 8

Changes in temp and RH can cause…

Answer 8

• Expansion and contraction of some materials, resulting in increases in cleavage, cracking and tears.
• Mould, bacteria and fungi growth (high RH)
• Cracking and flaking of emulsion layer.
• High temp –> accelerate chemical deterioration.
• High humidity –> gelatine layer swells and becomes sticky, mould develops.
• Low humidity –> embrittlement of emulsion layers.

Question 9

Preventative measures for temp and RH

Answer 9

• Maintain air con levels of around 20 degrees.
• Maintain RH levels using humidifiers.
• Preventing direct sunlight.
• Eliminate cold draughts of air.
• Enclosing artworks in display cases (reduced humidity fluctuations).