Allied Organizations – Page 10 – AIC Blog Archives: Conservators Converse

ICOM-CC Legal Issues in Conservation Working Group

The ICOM-CC Legal Issues in Conservation Working Group is in the process of refocussing its goal to become an important network where conservators can exchange information and experience about legal issues which face them in their daily work. Please visit the website, join the group, participate in the forum. All the suggestions and experience you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Please take part in creating a new and important network for conservators worldwide.

For more information, visit www.icom-cc.org/30/working-groups/legal-issues-in-conservation

Dr. W. (Bill) Wei
Senior conservation scientist
Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed

previously:

Instituut Collectie Nederland
Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage Amsterdam The Netherlands

Educators Convene to Share Ideas on Teaching the Next Generation in Historic Preservation

This story came to the AIC office from Brian Clark at Roger Williams University.

Tour of an historic building in Providence — Conference participants toured historic properties in Providence during the two-day event.

BRISTOL, R.I., Sept. 14, 2012 – How the next generation of historic preservationists is educated has profound implications across the preservation world, especially given that effective education means a greater likelihood of qualified professionals. But while the U.S. is home to an array of quality preservation programs at colleges and universities, there has been surprisingly little conversation among educators about how best to teach those who will comprise the preservation workforce in the future.

On Sept. 8 and 9, more than 75 educators from not just the U.S. – but from the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, Brazil, Mexico and more – convened in Providence, R.I., to discuss best practices at a conference titled “Preservation Education: Sharing Best Practices and Finding Common Ground.” The conference was hosted by the School of Architecture, Art and Historic Preservation at Roger Williams University with support from Clemson University, the College of Charleston, the University of Florida and the University of Georgia.

After two days of discussion and debate, a set of key ideas emerged. Jeremy C. Wells, assistant professor of historic preservation at Roger Williams and the conference chair, says the ideas focused on everything from embracing technology and encouraging innovation to linking the built and natural environments, integrating with other disciplines and building partnerships with K-12 education, real estate professionals and more.

Wells also noted that the attendees agreed that without a more concise definition of what the “discipline” of historic preservation is, there would continue to be difficulty in defining what students should be accountable for as far as skill sets and knowledge are concerned.

“We need better understanding and consensus around our view of the world,” he said. “There is even some discomfort with the term historic preservation itself. Does preservation imply stasis – that things never change? Would conservation more accurately represent our approach? We need to envision a future in which we build consensus on these questions, among preservation practitioners and educators alike.”

NEH grants for preserving collections in sustainable ways

Guidelines have been posted for the National Endowment for the Humanities’ Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections grants. U.S. nonprofit museums, libraries, archives, and educational institutions can apply for grants to plan and implement preservation strategies that pragmatically balance effectiveness, cost, and environmental impact. Projects should be designed to be as cost effective, energy efficient, and environmentally sensitive as possible, and they should aim to mitigate the greatest risks to collections rather than to meet prescriptive targets.

Apply for planning grants of up to $40,000 (with an option of up to $50,000) to bring together interdisciplinary teams that might reevaluate environmental parameters for collections and examine passive (nonmechanical) and low-energy alternatives to conventional energy sources and energy-intensive mechanized systems for managing collection environments. Testing, modeling, or project-specific research may help applicants better understand collection environments and formulate sustainable preservation strategies; therefore, with planning grants you might measure energy consumption; use blower door tests to identify air leaks in buildings; create mock-ups of lighting options; test natural ventilation methods; conduct thermal imaging of buildings; test the effect of buffered storage enclosures on moderating fluctuating environmental conditions; re-commission small-scale climate control systems; or adjust the operating protocols for climate control systems.

Apply for implementation grants of up to $350,000 to manage interior relative humidity and temperature by passive methods; install heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems; install storage systems and rehouse collections; improve security and the protection of collections from fire, flood, and other disasters; and upgrade lighting systems and controls to achieve levels suitable for collections that are energy efficient. Projects that seek to implement preventive conservation measures in sustainable ways are especially encouraged.

Deadline: December 4, 2012

Guidelines: www.neh.gov/grant s/guidelines/SCHC.html

FAQs: www.neh.gov/files/grants/sustaining-cultural-heritage-faqs_2012.pdf

Program officers are available to discuss project ideas and read draft proposals. Please contact the division for more information by emailing preservation [at] neh__gov or calling 202-606-8570.

Laura Word
Senior Program Officer
Division of Preservation and Access
National Endowment for the Humanities

New ICON Ceramics and Glass Group Forum

Feel free to ask questions about materials and techniques that you’re encountering for the first time, or for advice on specific objects

If you’re struggling to locate a specific material or piece of equipment and want to know where other conservators go shopping, just ask.

Or if you know about job opportunities, student placements or internships that you feel would be interesting to the members feel

free to share them here.

iconcgg.proboards.com/index.cgi

‎26th Annual National Archives Preservation Conference: “2012 A Preservation Odyssey: Paths to the Future”

2012 A Preservation Odyssey: Paths to the Future
26th Annual National Archives Preservation Conference

www.archives.gov/preservation/conferences/2012

Date: The conference will be held on Friday, October 19, 2012

Cost: $125.00 standard and $75.00 for students

Location:
National Archives Building
William McGowan Theater
7thStreet and Constitution Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20504

About the Conference

2012 A Preservation Odyssey: Paths to the Future

The conference will address how new challenges and opportunities are shaping preservation strategies. Within this framework, speakers will focus on conservation, reformatting, storage technology, and the ways in which these program activities are evolving toward new solutions. A session on education and outreach will highlight innovative methods to share information and engage users through social media and training.

We expect the conference to draw attendees from diverse fields including collections care and preservation management, administration of archives, historical collections, libraries and museums; archivists, curators and librarians; and conservators and preservation specialists and students in all these areas.

NARA’s 26th Annual Preservation Conference, 2012 A Preservation Odyssey will explore:

Environment and Storage Technology

Conservation: Big and Small

Reformatting

Outreach
Please visit the Program Schedule web page for the speaker’s list and exhibitors that will be participating.

For further information please contact the Conference Coordinator:

Richard Schneider
301-837-3617
richard.schneider@nara.gov

US Blue Shield Statement on Syrian Heritage

AIC supports the USCBS position outlined in the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE

Recent media reports, as well as first-hand reports from Syria posted to social media and other Internet sources, recount the killing and wounding of innocent civilians and the alarming destruction and looting of cultural heritage sites during the current civil war in Syria. Some of these sites are designated World Heritage Sites of outstanding universal significance under the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Other sites appear to be at imminent risk.

While admonishing all parties to the current Syrian conflict to respect cultural sites and prevent further damage, the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield seeks to remind the Syrian government of its obligations under the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, to which Syria is a State Party. These obligations include avoiding the targeting of cultural sites, unless excused by military necessity, and, more important, avoiding the use of cultural sites in such a way as to expose them to harm during armed conflict. It appears that these obligations have been violated through the use of cultural and historical sites, such as the Roman city of Apamea, the Crusader fortress at Crac des Chevaliers, and the archaeological site of Palmyra, as bases for military activities. This makes them a target for military attack and exposes them to significant danger. Inexcusable use of cultural sites could be the basis for war crimes violations and charges, as was seen in the criminal tribunals and convictions of former Yugoslav military leaders after the Balkan wars of the 1990s.

Also alarming are reports of large-scale thefts of cultural objects from archaeological and historic sites and museums and the reported sale of these objects on the international market. Those who would deal in such objects should be aware that existing legislation and legal mechanisms prohibit the trade in looted and stolen cultural objects. For example, legislation in two of the largest market nations, the United States and the United Kingdom, provide for criminal punishment of those who knowingly deal in such objects and for forfeiture of the objects themselves. These include the United Kingdom’s Dealing in Cultural Objects Offences Act and the United States’ National Stolen Property Act. In addition, U.S. sanctions put into effect against Syria state that “All property and interests in property that are in the United States, that hereafter come within the United States, or that are or hereafter come within the possession or control of any United States person, … of the Government of Syria are blocked and may not be transferred, … or otherwise dealt in.” OFAC regulation EO 13582 of August 17, 2011, Section 1(a), http://www.treasury.gov/resourcecenter/sanctions/Programs/Documents/syria_eo_08182011.pdf.

The cultural heritage of Syria is among the most valuable in the world, spanning from the beginnings of civilization through the Roman, Crusader, Medieval Islamic and Ottoman periods. It is the duty of all nations and all people to protect and preserve this heritage for future generations. It is particularly the responsibility of both the Syrian regime and the rebel forces to honor international law and the interests of the Syrian people in preserving their shared cultural heritage.

U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield
24 August 2012

Contact: Corine Wegener, cwegener@uscbs.org, 612-870-3293 or 612-839-7654

AIC’s 40th Annual Meeting – Collection Care Network Brainstorming Session: Table 3 – Traveling exhibits & collection care training

The last presentation of the Outreach to Allies Session at the AIC Annual Meeting 2012 was an interactive session organized by the Collection Care Network. The leadership team of the network designed it as a way to identify priorities and projects for the network. Imagine nine groups of 7 to 9 people sitting around tables discussing the content of nine different short videos. Each video presented a collection care challenge or question. The discussion aimed to suggest projects the Collection Care Network could develop that would provide tools to overcome the challenge or answer the question. Now imagine people engaged in conversation. This post covers some of the conversation at Table 3. Look for the other 8 posts if you would like to review all the discussions.

Table Three: The discussion at the table focused on how to provide more access to collection care information delivered in an efficient and effective way. As a professional beginning in the field I was interested in learning about the many resources and approaches that already exist and what my colleagues found best suited to the needs of the audience.

The video: Emma Westling, Touring Exhibits Coordinator for the Museum of Science, Boston outlined her duties at the Museum and her work touring exhibits to various venues. She wished to have access to previously developed training materials to educate and provide professional development for institutions that may not have dedicated collections professionals. She pointed out that staff could improve collection care for their own collections as well as for loaned objects in their care.

The discussion: Although we began by considering loan shows to institutions with staff that may have a limited knowledge about a particular type of object or material, the discussions moved to discussing the intended audience. From diverse backgrounds, they bring a range of expertise to preservation. They meet the daily challenges of finding sufficient time, money, and staff hours to carry out their work. In time are conversation transitioned into what were some of the best ways to engage and to meet the needs of this audience. We talked about how training for its own sake was a worthy goal, but when faced with the numerous demands competing for time and resources, a more strategic approach is required. Those who had developed on-line resources and presented programs and seminars found that successful programming hinges on delivering information at the moment individuals are looking for it. The challenge is using methods that get the right information to the intended audience at the right time.

The ideas for Collection Care Network projects:

Create a free and searchable on-line resource that organizes the collection care information and training available to the preservation community.
Develop a knowledge base on specialized topics with content provided by experts in that area.
Build a forum to foster interactivity.

The contributors: Moderator – Gretchen Guidess; Note Taker: Patti Dambaugh; Table participants: Kathy Francis, Kristen Laise, Chris McAfee, Kay Söderlund, Sarah Stauderman

Call for papers for North American Textile Conservation Conference

CALL FOR PAPERS and POSTERS

Conserving Modernity: the Articulation of Innovation

9th North American Textile Conservation Conference
San Francisco, California
November 12th – 15th, 2013

The ninth biennial North American Textile Conservation Conference (NATCC) will focus on topics that concern
modern materials. Topics include, but are not limited to:

Technical descriptions, analyses, and conservation treatments involving modern materials, including new textile technologies applied to fiber-based objects such as contemporary dress, wearable art, fiber art and contemporary fabrics, either in total or in part;
The ethics of using unstable modern materials in works of art and heritage artifacts and/or respect for the artist’s intention;
Research into the impact of the environment on these materials and/or the artifacts created from them;
The synergy between natural/synthetic materials when they coexist in an artifact;
The use of modern materials, such as adhesives, consolidants and supports in conservation treatments;
New approaches to “old” treatments and/or dilemmas in conservation.

Conservators, curators, conservation scientists, collection managers, archaeologists, anthropologists and others engaged with these topics are invited to submit proposals for presentations. Collaborations among any of the above professions or with others are encouraged.

Abstracts for papers and posters (300 words maximum), accompanied by a short biography (100 words maximum) of the author(s) may be submitted in English, French, or Spanish. Abstracts may not have image attachments. Projects already presented and/or published will not be considered. Contact information should include: name, postal and email addresses, telephone and facsimile numbers. NATCC will support one
complimentary registration per accepted paper. A discounted rate will be offered for all accepted posters.

Please submit your abstract by September 1, 2012 to natcc2013@gmail.com.

Presentations will be 20 minutes long; there will be time for questions. All speakers will be required to submit the full publication-ready version of their paper in the language in which it will be presented (English, French or Spanish), by April 1, 2013. The papers will be published in CD format and distributed at the conference along with printed abstracts in English, French and Spanish. An advance copy of each presentation submission
will be required by October 14, 2013 for purposes of simultaneous translation. Please email any questions to natcc2013@gmail.com and visit our website for continual updates at: http://natcconference.com.

Abstracts will be peer reviewed by the NATCC board. Authors of selected papers and posters will be notified by December 3, 2012. Authors are responsible for rights and permissions to publish photographs and/or graphics.

Modern Antiquities: The Looted and the Faked, a lecture by Dr David Scott

The Bay Area Art Conservation Guild and the Ancient Art Council present the 2012 BAACG Masters in Conservation lecture:

Modern Antiquities: The Looted and the Faked, by Dr. David A. Scott

Saturday, September 1, 2012 @10am at the Legion of Honor, San Francisco

The talk will discuss the perception of theft as it pertains to ancient art and the current crisis in terms of museum acquisitions or holdings acquired after the UNESCO convention date of 1970. The conflicting arguments in favor of repatriation of art and its retention will be highlighted and examples from the author’s experience in Greek and Pre-Colombian Art discussed. The “Getty Bronze” of a Greek athlete acquired by the Getty Museum in 1976 has an unusual history and its ownership has been a contentious issue between the Italian government and the Getty for many years. Pre-Columbian gold work without any provenance is commonly present in museum collections as the artifacts were looted from tombs before making their way into museums. The modern redefining and expansion of what we call theft complicates the status of these objects and their rightful ownership. The increasing prevalence of art in our modern world which is either faked or looted, enhances the concept of using displayable copies much as Roman copies of ancient Greek sculptures came to be admired as authentic. The problems of copies and their use will be discussed in the context of the disputed origins of ancient art and the input which conservation has had on several of the important aspects of this subject.

Florence Gould Theater
Legion of Honor
100 – 34th Avenue
Lincoln Park
San Francisco

Non-member cost: $15, free to BAACG and AAC members.
Dr. David A. Scott, Professor, Department of Art History and Founding Director of the UCLA/Getty Conservation Program has written extensively concerning the technical examination and conservation of metallic works of art as well as several studies of pigments from ancient Egyptian contexts. His book, Copper and Bronze in Art, won the 2002 award from the Association of American Publishers as the best Art/Scholarly book published that year. Professor Scott has written over 100 papers and six books. His latest venture is to devise a coherent teaching course on the subject of Art: Fakes, Forgeries and Authenticity, from which the current talk is derived.

This lecture is cosponsored by the Bay Area Art Conservation Guild and the Ancient Art Council of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
http://baacg.org/
http://www.ancientartcouncil.org/

“Conservation fiction” as outreach?

Two novels published in the past two years which feature conservation, forgery and/or damaged works of art have garnered more attention than most novels. “The Restorer”, by Daniela Murphy Corella, in which a conservator-restorer uncovers a lost fresco in a remote Italian church, was awarded First prize in the 2012 International Rubery Book competition. “Duel”, by Joost Zwargerman, a novel in which a conservator is an important character and in which a valuable painting by Mark Rothko is copied, stolen, and accidentally damaged, was commissioned in 2011 as the “Book Week in the Netherlands” giveaway book and distributed to hundreds of thousands of people free of charge.

If even a small number of the readers of these books and other works of “conservation fiction” gain from them some understanding of conservation, then these novels will have served a valuable outreach function.