Issues in conservation of contemporary art

The conservation of contemporary art has practical and theoretical challenges provoked by aspects that may be intrinsic to some contemporary art works, which should be understood as part of the conservation process. Conservators worldwide have responded to these new challenges by developing innovative principles and methods.

Rodin's Dutch Thinker comes back to life

This poster focuses on the impact of 3D technologies as effective instruments to preserve, protect and document cultural heritage. Besides, as 3D digitalization is non-contact it helps to avoid unexpected problems that direct touch can cause. The chosen case of the Vandalized Rodin’s Dutch Thinker explains how useful 3D digitalization is to document, conserve and restore objects.

Digital technology

Digital technologies are used in many fields nowadays, including archaeology and conservation. Technologies such as different kinds of digital photography and 3D modeling may facilitate or enhance conservation work. However, these technologies are not perfect, and conservators still face many challenges when trying to incorporate them into their work.

Ephemeral Works: Approaches to Static and Living Street Art

Street Art is a wide field, ranging from static city murals to the ever changing world of graffiti tagging and grand works. This poster discusses Conservator approaches to Street Art, exploring the concepts of static and living in Dimitri Vrubel’s work on the Berlin Wall. 

Is street art a crime?

Street art is an artistic movement emerging from the Hip Hop culture in New York City between the 70s and the 80s. In contemporary culture, this movement is at the heart of a lively debate. How can preservation be in line with its evanescent nature?

Participatory Conservation

In the last two decades, conservation has become more open to collaborations and partnerships with various interest groups and communication and mutual respect have become an important aspect of successful decision making. In these cases, conservators are presented with great opportunities to gather more knowledge about objects, but also have come to realize the limitations of their actions.

The state of public awareness of conservation in museums

Museum visitors are often unaware of what conservators do, and seem to only learn about conservators when an object is severely damaged. This poster considers three case studies to examine the efficacy of efforts at public engagement with conservation, and considers what more can be done to increase visitor awareness

Multispectral Imaging in Conservation: Opportunities and Challenges

Digital technologies offer potential for developing alternative and new conservation approaches but they also bring challenges. This poster focuses on multispectral imaging and discusses the opportunities this technology provides as well as difficulties.

Illicit Trade & Conservators

Looting and illicit trade of cultural material is a topic widely discussed currently. Lack of protection of archaeological sites, ease of transportation and high market demand for antiquities facilitate the theft of artifacts. Conservators face a dilemma when presented with stolen objects and must consider whether to perform a treatment.

Graffiti: What happens when it starts to gain value?

As graffiti starts to gain value within society the action of conserving the work becomes more likely. By comparing the works of two different graffiti artists it is argued that conservation alters the dynamic and geopolitical nature of the piece, therefore changing it into something else entirely. 

SYRIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE CRISIS

This poster addresses the struggle of conservators to protect and preserve the Cultural Heritage of a country burdened by perpetual conflict.  Syria is home to a number of sites and collections in danger of destruction. Conservators have been combating this danger, working to safeguard these important pieces of cultural history.

TRAINING CONSERVATORS THROUGH VIRTUAL REALITY

 This paper explores the feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) to train conservators. Novice conservators could use visuo-haptic training to hone their fine motor skills when dealing with delicate work. Conservators who practice salvaging works in emergencies could conduct drills more frequently and economically by using VR headsets.