Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. JOB OPENING: Assistant Conservator - University of Hong Kong Libraries 2. Conservation Science Fellow, English Heritage, London 3. RE: Escal Supplier 4. RE: Advice on removing ICA stretchers with cadmium coated springs 5. Valchromat boards Oddy test? 6. Consolidation of colloidal tin paint 7. Report Available: Expectations and Realities session at 2024 Annual Meeting ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Yuyang Lau Posted: Tuesday January 21, 2025 6:58 AM Subject: JOB OPENING: Assistant Conservator - University of Hong Kong Libraries Message: The University of Hong Kong Libraries is seeking a qualified and motivated paper or book conservator at the assistant level to join their team. The University of Hong Kong Libraries is a pioneer facility dedicated to preserving and conserving the library and archives collections in Hong Kong. The Preservation Centre was established in 2010, it consists of three conservators and four technicians with multi-disciplined specialties, who perform basic to complex conservation treatments on the collections including Western and Eastern rare books, archives and manuscripts, photographs and prints, architectural drawings and maps, and some works of art on paper. Other activities encompass collection rehousing, exhibition and digitization preparation, collection assessment and survey, environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, emergency preparedness and response, and preservation outreach. As an important member of the team, the Assistant Conservator will work with us on a wide range of preservation activities and conservation treatments. Learn more about this position and apply: https://jobs.hku.hk/cw/en/job/531084/assistant-conservator-at-the-rank-of-executive-officer <https://jobs.hku.hk/cw/en/job/531084/assistant-conservator-at-the-rank-of-executive-officer> Learn more about the University of Hong Kong Libraries and its collections: https://lib.hku.hk/ <https://lib.hku.hk/> Salary Range: est. $43,000-63,000 USD depending on qualifications and experience Other Benefits: medical and dental benefits, contract-end gratuity and retirement benefits totaling up to 10% of basic salary;18 days annual leave + 18 days public holidays, 7 days professional leave with continuing professional development grants. The deadline for submission is February 28, 2025. Please contact Lesley LIU, Head of Preservation and Conservation if you have any questions about the position: [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ Lesley LIU Head, Preservation and Conservation/Preservation Centre University of Hong Kong Libraries Hong Kong ------------------------------ 2.From: David Thickett Posted: Tuesday January 21, 2025 7:00 AM Subject: Conservation Science Fellow, English Heritage, London Message: English Heritage is looking to recruit a conservation science fellow. The position is full time for 20months based in its Rangers House Laboratory, SE London, with a salary from £34,803 depending on experience. Full details are at https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/jobs/job-search/default-job-page/?jobRef=15698 <https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/jobs/job-search/default-job-page/?jobRef=15698>. The fellow will undertake research in the international Go-Green project, Green Strategies to Conserve The Past And Preserve The Future Of Cultural Heritage. Specifically manage and deliver a series of experiments to develop damage functions and analytical regimes to reduce the carbon footprint of preventive conservation. The closing date for applications is 10 Feb. Interviews are likely to take place on 18th Feb virtually. As English Heritage is not a sponsoring body for UK Visas, you must have the right to work in the UK to apply. <https://uk.content.exclaimer.net/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.english-heritage.org.uk%2F&tenantid=pti8bxdCEe6pvWBFvdKH0g&templateid=3b1dab038f79ef119c3600224841a690&excomponentid=rMLoLtV1DY4u5kZtzPfXbqexVpZjrvwPYlt4kFd6nBA&excomponenttype=Image&signature=mhpMFf18uw_S0OJQXu4Mt3v8hRrMMlvFlUIIlqBaKQfTgzUtILfCORq1sKaEqM0ytUPaYUWXmg9YbFxFdaBn6fgKOGodb3p3NmdZthhQ-_QnUf9zYWH6PDwL7sUAwCd4LSmXOyTkWR8u27PL0_6xaax58ihmAwvevPWs8Vm_4H_9ps9nDB6KwLw7p-owzweVtLjj2DCL0ht8OEvSPf0dDnFG4hKtjm_G26NKyeDVSYst3lo1gtCh8Yi-7r7okCgUuzQWqNf2AzbdnYyKXqVh9_gtQMOUm7XFQAFsgNVOvU2afexIHlpTP6kRkLwNb_DM3Z6NKTECfZhmo7U66NJLXQ&v=1&imprintMessageId=0824ea28-2170-4158-9bbe-baea322b6a22> Heritage is for everybody, and we are here for heritage. That's why, as a charity, we care for over a million objects and hundreds of historic sites in every part of England. And it's why we open them up, share their stories and find new ways for everybody to enjoy, learn, play and create. The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351 <tel:1140351>, and a limited company, no. 07447221 <tel:07447221>, registered in England and Wales. Our registered office is The Engine House, Fire Fly Avenue, Swindon SN2 2EH This email (and any attachments) is confidential and may contain personal views which are not the views of English Heritage unless specifically stated. If you have received it in error, please delete it from your system and notify the sender immediately. Do not use, copy or disclose the information in any way nor act in reliance on it. Any information sent to English Heritage may become publicly available.. 3.From: Kaela Nurmi Posted: Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:54 AM Subject: RE: Escal Supplier Message: Thank you everyone. We have had some difficulty ordering from Keepsafe, but we will look into the other suggestions. ------------------------------ Kaela Nurmi Objects Conservation Fellow Harvard Art Museums, Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies ECPN Chair CAN! Communications Chair ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 01-16-2025 10:52 From: Rachael Arenstein Subject: Escal Supplier Hi Kaela, If you are unable to obtain Escal from Keepsafe, you might want to investigate some of the other clear barrier film products. The Metropolitan Museum of Art performed Oddy Tests and some instrumental analysis on a range of barrier film products including a few clear products. You can find them on the AIC wiki's Material Testing Results pages https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Project:Combined_Materials_Testing_Results_(Search_Builder) <https://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Project:Combined_Materials_Testing_Results_(Search_Builder)> If you use the search builder you can search use search terms "Supplier" "Contains" "Packaging" to find the materials from Heritage Packaging. or "Description" "Contains" "barrier". If memory serves almost all the films returned "temporary" results and it is worth delving into the excellent information provided by the Met on their protocol and the general information on how best utilize the data present. ------------------------------ Rachael Arenstein A.M. Art Conservation, LLC [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ Original Message: Sent: 01-15-2025 11:49 From: Kaela Nurmi Subject: Escal Supplier Hello, Does anyone have a distributor for Escal, either in the US or can ship to the US relatively easily? We are in need of Escal for a few different projects soon, and are having difficulty procuring it. The Escal will be used both for anoxia treatment for pests and long-term anoxic housing for a latex rubber artwork, both need to be viewable without opening the package. If you have other suggestions of a low-permeability, transparent barrier film material that is suitable for anoxia, that would be great to hear about as well. Thank you! ------------------------------ Kaela Nurmi Objects Conservation Fellow Harvard Art Museums, Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies ECPN Chair CAN! Communications Chair ------------------------------ 4.From: Adrienne Gendron Posted: Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:54 AM Subject: RE: Advice on removing ICA stretchers with cadmium coated springs Message: Dear Alexandra, The AIC Health and Safety Network published an article on this topic in AIC News last January (see attached), which covers one case study where full abatement was undertaken. Best, Adrienne ------------------------------ Adrienne Gendron Assistant Objects Conservator Museum of Fine Arts, Boston ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 01-17-2025 09:25 From: Alexandra Lawson Subject: Advice on removing ICA stretchers with cadmium coated springs We would welcome any experience members have with removing ICA stretchers with cadmium coated springs. We have two stretchers at our institution which have developed cadmium corrosion. Our normal hazardous waste disposal company won't take any waste contaminated with cadmium corrosion products. We are seeking advice on making a method statement to safely remove the paintings from the stretchers and remove any cadmium deposits, and on appropriate PPE and disposal of the stretcher and contaminated equipment. If anyone knows of a specialist company in the UK that might deal with similar materials or cases please let us know. 5.From: Helena Jaeschke Posted: Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:55 AM Subject: Valchromat boards Oddy test? Message: Dear Colleagues Can anyone tell me whether Valchromat boards have been Oddy tested? I recently discovered some small toy figures (presumably lead alloy) that are suffering aggressive corrosion, in a case made from glass and Valchromat. The paint is flaking off in small pieces and there are odd crystalline growths from the metal ([photo enclosed). The case is not RH controlled. The Valchromat has a stippled grey colour (see photo of underside of case) Many thanks Helena Museum Development South West 6.From: Jen Bowens Posted: Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:56 PM Subject: Consolidation of colloidal tin paint Message: Hi all. I'm working on a series of Kalighat paintings on paper where raised, silver-coloured paint is cracking and flaking. Through reading and XRF we've narrowed the pigment down to colloidal tin. I'm hesitating to treat the works as I have no experience consolidating this type of paint. My understanding is that tin is quite stable and not prone to oxidation. The rest of the painting is water based with gum binding but maybe the tin has been bound differently? Does anyone know more about colloidal tin paints on paper and their consolidation? Many thanks, Jen Bowens ------------------------------ Jen Bowens Paper Conservator Amgueddfa Cymru Cardiff, Wales ------------------------------ 7.From: Michaela Paulson Posted: Tuesday January 21, 2025 2:58 PM Subject: Report Available: Expectations and Realities session at 2024 Annual Meeting Message: We're proud to announce the release of "Expectations and Realities: A 2024 Condition Report of Conservators," a deep dive into systemic issues impacting conservators at all career stages, including actionable recommendations for change: https://bit.ly/40AS7GU <https://bit.ly/40AS7GU> The report is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the current challenges facing the field and practitioners within it. You can find it in Online Publications > Survey Reports on the main AIC website. Our main takeaways are in the Discussion section, but the Data section and Appendices include the raw data, feedback, and anonymized responses from the surveys and the live event. Please use this data for your research, to advocate for change, and continue to support emerging conservators (and all conservators!). I'd like to thank my fellow authors & the editors of the report, as well as everyone who contributed to the #AICmtg24 session and supported us in this work. ------------------------------ Michaela Paulson Project Conservator Penn Museum Philadelphia United States ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
