Conservations

Question 1

Conservation types

Answer 1

• Preservation
• Protect and Prevent

Question 2

Preventative

Answer 2

• controlling environments in which they re displayed, stored and transported

Question 3

Environmental

Answer 3

• Light, temp, RH
• dust accumulation + insect activity
• incorrect handling

Question 4

Restorative

Answer 4

• repairs to work
• requires specialist training + expertise

Question 5

Organic materials

Answer 5

• Paper
• Leather
• Wool
• Feathers

Question 6

Inorganic materials

Answer 6

• Stone
• Cement
• Ceramic
• Metals

Question 7

Effort depends on…

Answer 7

• significance of work
• value of work
• resources available
• whether public or other

Question 8

Handling + Checking

Answer 8

• using nitrile gloves when hanging works on paper
• creating adequate viewing space b/w works
• pay attention to light levels
• be aware of security issues
• keeping storage + display free of dust + toxic materials
• curator will regularly check for movement damage, dust and changes to work
• works travelling b/w galleries are given a check-list called a ‘condition report’

Question 9

Light

Answer 9

• causes colour to fade, paper to discolour and become embrittled + deteriorated
• damage caused by light is cumulative + irreversible
• deterioration caused by light can only be minimised, not eliminated b/c need light to see works
• light intensity measured in LUX
• high sensitivity materials (textiles + paper) = 50 lux
• less sensitive (oil paintings + wooden objects) = 150-250 lux
• low sensitivity (ceramics, stone, glass –> inorganic) = up to 300 lux
• lights hang on vertical tracking - types of lights –> flood/fill, spotlight, downlights
• damage minimised by: minimising UV light, reducing light exposure by rotating b/w storage + display (3:1), using tungsten bulbs (low wattage), exhibit vulnerable works in areas w reduced light

Question 10

Temp + RH

Answer 10

• temp + RH measured w thermohygrometer
• recommended temp = 20 +/- 2
• recommended RH = 50% +/- 5%
• may be small fluctuations but any rapid changes will damage artworks
  Changes can cause:
• expansion + contraction of materials –> cracking + tears
• mould, bacteria, fungi, insect attack if RH too high
• chemical reactions –> chemical breakdown of materials (discolour + embrittle)
• cracking + flaking of emulsion layer
• high temp –> gelatine layer swells (photographs) + becomes sticky, mould dev.s
• low temp –> embrittlement of emulsion layers