Conservation

Question 1

Two types of materials

Answer 1

Organic and inorganic

Question 2

Types of organic materials

Answer 2

Paper
Wool
Leather
Feathers

Question 3

Types of inorganic materials

Answer 3

Metals
Stone
Cement
Ceramic

Question 4

Factors of conservation

Answer 4

Preservation
Protect + prevent
Keeping work in original condition for as long as possible

Question 5

How do they achieve safe handling and checking?

Answer 5

Security
Paying attention to light levels
Using nitrile gloves
Adequate viewing between works

Question 6

What causes damage?

Answer 6

Incorrect handling
Poor storage
Dust accumulation
Light, temp, relative humidity

Question 7

What happens with inadequate light levels?

Answer 7

Works become embrittled
Paper discolours
Colour fades

Question 8

Lux for ceramics, stone, and glass?

Answer 8

300 Lux

Question 9

Lux for textiles and paper?

Answer 9

50 Lux

Question 10

Lux for oil paintings and wooden objects?

Answer 10

150-250 Lux

Question 11

What is the equation for temperature and RH?

Answer 11

20c +/- 2c, 50% RH +/- 5%

Question 12

What happens with inadequate light, temp, and relative humidity?

Answer 12

Cracking + tears
Expansion or contraction
Mould, bacteria, fungi, insects

Question 13

What is mould?

Answer 13

Fungi that lives on any organic material, feeding off organic matter.

Question 14

When does mould grow?

Answer 14

Foxxing occurs when RH is over 70%.

Question 15

What does foxing cause?

Answer 15

Physical breakdown of work (eg. paper becomes soft and spongey, making it liable for disintegration.)
Damage is irreversible.

Question 16

Pollutants and dust examples

Answer 16

Atmospheric pollutants (eg. CO2, dust, soot, ozone).

Question 17

What effect does pollutants have on metal?

Answer 17

Corrosion

Question 18

What effect does pollutants have on stone?

Answer 18

Acid damage

Question 19

What effect does pollutants have on paper?

Answer 19

Staining and soiling

Question 20

What effect does pollutants have on textiles?

Answer 20

Physical breakdown

Question 21

Preventative measure for dust nd pollutants?

Answer 21

Display cases

Question 22

What do insects do to works?

Answer 22

Feed on organic materials, photographs, and textiles.
Insect droppings stain works.

Question 23

How do they eradicate insects?

Answer 23

Can put insects in bag and remove oxygen.

Question 24

What do pests do to works?

Answer 24

Gnawing and soiling.

Question 25

How do they eradicate pests?

Answer 25

Poison.

Question 26

What are holding or quarantine areas?

Answer 26

Temporary storage for inspections or to acclimatise pieces.

Question 27

What happens in condition checks?

Answer 27

Clean dirty parts
Record observations and any treatments
seek conservators advice if damage is detected

Question 28

How do they acclimatise works?

Answer 28

Place pieces in plastic bags, perforate over a period of time.

Question 29

How do they store and transport paper works?

Answer 29

Solander boxes

Question 30

How do they store and transport paintings?

Answer 30

Sliding screens made of powder coated metal.

Question 31

How do they store and transport sculptures?

Answer 31

Crates with inert foam.

Question 32

How are works transported?

Answer 32

Custom built crates.
Remove obstacles.
Cotton or nitrile gloves.
T+RH control
Security guards/cameras

Question 33

How are paintings stored?

Answer 33

metal racks
steel cases

Question 34

how are sculptures & ceramics stored?

Answer 34

shelving
cabinets
specialised vaults

Question 35

how are paper works stored?

Answer 35

solander boxes

Question 36

What is mould?

Answer 36

FUngi/spores

Question 37

When/how does mould occur?

Answer 37

When RH is above 70%
Poor ventilation

Question 38

What happens to works that develop mould?

Answer 38

Foxing (only paper)
Breakdown of physical structure
Soft and spongy