Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Reminder -- Job Posting -- Assistant or Associate Paintings Conservator, Samuel H. Kress Program, Conservation Center 2. Survey - Conservation of Silk Parasols. 3. Conserving Arms & Armour: In conversation with David Edge and Deborah Lee 4. Summer School at the University of Pisa! Diagnosis in Heritage Science: Focus on innovative cleaning methodologies for painted art 5. Registration open - Trends in Heritage Science 6. WAAC Newsletter ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Matthew Hayes Posted: Monday May 12, 2025 8:28 AM Subject: Reminder -- Job Posting -- Assistant or Associate Paintings Conservator, Samuel H. Kress Program, Conservation Center Message: Dear Colleagues, A reminder that the deadline for the Assistant or Associate Paintings Conservator in the Samuel H. Kress Program, Conservation Center, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University is May 15. Description and application at: apply.interfolio.com/165686 <http://apply.interfolio.com/165686> Feel free to be in touch with any questions. All best, Matt Hayes ------------------------------ Matthew Hayes, PhD Assistant Professor of Paintings Conservation Conservation Center, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University 14 East 78th Street, New York, NY 10075 [email protected] ------------------------------ 2.From: Joanne Hackett Posted: Monday May 12, 2025 8:29 AM Subject: Survey - Conservation of Silk Parasols. Message: Posting on behalf of a student conservator: Hello, My name is Victoria Gosling and I am a textile conservation student at Glasgow University. For my dissertation I am exploring conservation options for silk parasols. I would like to hear from conservators who have conserved parasols, but also those that haven't. I am interested in your decision making and approach - how would you go about conserving these very difficult objects? Is functionality important in your decision making? If you could please fill in this very short survey, I'd be grateful. It should only take 5-10 minutes and all submissions are anonymous. https://uofg.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bDR9T6JdQl9l8nc <https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fuofg.qualtrics.com%2Fjfe%2Fform%2FSV_bDR9T6JdQl9l8nc&data=05%7C02%7CJoanne.Hackett%40glasgow.ac.uk%7Cb648d9e66bf143c94f4c08dd91309755%7C6e725c29763a4f5081f22e254f0133c8%7C1%7C0%7C638826360075066191%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DRc%2FUHZDRVZdQ3%2B0H2YDSGdUk9dDmfl%2B7s3NWpdeqAg%3D&reserved=0> Many Thanks Vikki ------------------------------ Joanne Hackett Lecturer in Textile Conservation University of Glasgow Kelvin Centre for Conservation and Cultural Heritage Research Pinner United Kingdom ------------------------------ 3.From: Bethany Smith Posted: Monday May 12, 2025 8:29 AM Subject: Conserving Arms & Armour: In conversation with David Edge and Deborah Lee Message: The upcoming short course Conservation of Arms and Armour <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/short-courses/m3d35787-conservation-of-arms-and-armour> is being held at West Dean in West Sussex, UK, from 17-20 August with Arms and Armour Conservators David Edge <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/tutors/david-edge> and Deborah Lee <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/tutors/deborah-lee>. Ahead of the course, we spoke to tutors David and Deborah about getting their footings in arms and armour conservation, why this holds such an importance and key challenges being faced in the industry right now. Could you start by introducing yourselves and what you do? David Edge: I am currently Armourer Emeritus at the Wallace Collection, having been its Armourer and Metals Conservator since 1975, and for many years, Curator of Arms and Armour as well. I was appointed Head of Conservation in 2004. I have lectured and published widely on the history, conservation and analysis of arms and armour, and have always been a passionate advocate of museum education, founding the concept of armour-handling at the Wallace Collection and working with both schools and at university level to promote and encourage wider knowledge of the subject. Deborah Lee: My name is Deborah and I am a Freelance Arms and Armour Conservator. I began work in this field in 1999 at the Wallace Collection, where David was my boss for close on 10 years, but then I decided to go freelance and have been working independently since 2008. I have a studio in Whitstable and a workshop in Bedfordshire, I split my time between working at the bench for clients from all over the world, museums, collectors, dealers and private collections and teaching and assessment work at West Dean. What drew you to conservation in the first place? DE: A love of historic objects, materials and material technology. I thought that a career in conservation would give me a closer and more 'hands-on' connection with historical artifacts (and I was right). However, I actually came quite late to this realisation, and as a result my entire education up to and including university was all arts-based. Upon being appointed Metals Conservator/Armourer I had to be completely re-trained in museum conservation, at my employer's cost in money and time, which would never happen nowadays. Their gamble did pay off, however… I worked for them for the next 45 years! DL: To be honest, I didn't even know conservation existed as a job before I went to university in London. I found three year degree , the Conservation and Restoration of Decorative Surfaces, at London Guildhall University purely by accident when I came back to England in my late 20s looking to go to University. I liked the sound of the course as it was a great mixture of science, hand skills and art history, I applied, got in and then in the 3rd year was sent to the Wallace Collection on a job placement, where I met David and fell in love with the world of arms and armour, which, up to that point, I had not even considered….the rest is history. Between you, you have spent over 60 years working in the field – what are some of your memorable projects? DE: Working as a trainee in the state apartments at Sandringham House, cleaning and installing wall-displays of arms and armour… and only just missing the Queen who came to have a look at what we were up to! And then of course there have been a seemingly endless procession of wonderful objects in collections all over the world which we got to see and handle out of their display cases… a real privilege. DL: There have been many highlights and some projects that were memorable purely because of the sheer amount of work they involved. One example which encapsulates both for me was being asked to go out to Rajesthan and assess a large Royal Collection (about 1500 pieces), work out a conservation programme for all of it, and simultaneously set up a workshop from scratch and train 4 Indian conservation graduates to get everything done alongside me for publication in two large volume books... it was hard work and in difficult conditions, but I got it done and it was an amazing experience. Why is it important to conserve arms and armour? DE: Conserving arms and armour is crucial for a number of reasons, but in particular because it is often not appreciated by institutions holding such material that actually does need conserving and caring for. Even a basic lack of preventive conservation can ruin collections, and with ferrous objects, one cannot reverse corrosion damage once it has taken place. Additionally, arms and armour is particularly at risk from simple ignorance regarding how it should be treated: incorrect procedures can cause more damage than simple neglect. DL: I would agree with David, it is important because, whether you like it or not, the development of arms and armour over the years has mirrored the progression of society, it provides a social and historical embodiment of societal changes and movements in political and social evolution. From a conservation point of view it is also a great vehicle for pushing Conservators out of their comfort zones, as one single piece of decorative arms and armour may involve the conservator being able to deal with many different materials, bone, ivory, precious metals, steel, leather and organic lacquer work…..it can all be encapsulated in one item, so it keeps you interested and pushes you to learn more. What specific challenges do collections of arms and armour present in terms of their care, display and conservation? DE: The nature of arms and armour is that it is often used for display within historic buildings whose interiors cannot be environmentally controlled, and due to difficulties of accessing such displays (often high up on walls etc) there is often a lack of personnel and resources devoted to regular programmes of maintenance. In addition, this whole field being associated many minds with 'War and Death', there is often a perception that there are worthier objects to spend money and resources on, so (sadly) arms/armour therefore often finds itself at the bottom of conservation priority lists. DL: I would agree with David, but also it goes back to my earlier point, they are often complex objects not just in terms of their materials, but also with how they are viewed by modern society and the cultures from where they originated. You have to be mindful of a great many more things when dealing with arms and armour than you would for example when conserving a painting, and that I think is what sets it apart. What should people expect from the Conservation of Arms and Armour <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/short-courses/m3d35787-conservation-of-arms-and-armour> course? Who is the course for? DE: This course is for everyone with an interest in the subject, both inside and outside museums, and both professional or amateur. The idea is to give delegates a thorough grounding in different categories of arms and armour, and the problems and challenges that they can present. The course is presented as informally and as 'hands-on' as possible. DL: Yes, I would agree with that. We want people to go away with a far greater understanding of the subject as a whole and to have gained an insight into its complexities and to have had the opportunity to pick our brains and share some stories. Conservation of Arms and Armour <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/short-courses/m3d35787-conservation-of-arms-and-armour> with Deborah Lee and David Edge takes place 17-20 August 2025. This course is ideal for conservators, curators, graduates, collectors and anyone interested in the care and conservation of arms and armour in general. It provides an introduction to a vast subject area, giving students a brief background to the different types of arms and armour throughout the world, the conservation problems associated with them and how to safely approach the diverse and often complex issues of continuing care and problem solving. Students will have the opportunity to handle and work on original pieces under the supervision and guidance of two tutors who have, between them, spent over 60 years working in this field. Accommodation <https://www.westdean.ac.uk/short-courses/accommodation> is available during the course. ------------------------------ West Dean College West Dean, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0QZ UK ------------------------------ 4.From: Nina Olsson Posted: Monday May 12, 2025 4:39 PM Subject: Summer School at the University of Pisa! Diagnosis in Heritage Science: Focus on innovative cleaning methodologies for painted art Message: Monday, June 30- Friday, July 4, 2025Full program attachedFor more information: https://scibec.dcci.unipi.it/summer-school-2025.html <https://scibec.dcci.unipi.it/summer-school-2025.html> Deadline to apply: May 17, 2025Places are still available. Join the 2025 Heritage Science Summer School at the University of Pisa! Dive into a week of cutting-edge, multidisciplinary training at the University of Pisa's Department of Chemistry, where science meets cultural heritage. Tailored for Master's graduates and especially PhD students with a passion for Heritage Science, the 2025 edition will spotlight cleaning methodologies for painted art. Held in the vibrant academic setting of Pisa, the Summer School is part of the Green Cluster projects-MOXY, GoGreen, and GreenArt-and offers a unique opportunity to explore sustainable, scientifically grounded approaches to art conservation. From theory to practice, participants will engage with the latest research on cleaning processes, moving beyond the surface to learn how to evaluate impact and effectiveness using analytical techniques, not just visual cues. Whether you're launching your research or deepening your expertise, this is a chance to connect with peers and experts at the forefront of Heritage Science innovation. Discover. Analyze. Preserve. Nina OlssonMOXY ProjectGreen Cluster for Science and Conservation Research -- moxyproject.eu <http://moxyproject.eu> 5.From: Caroline Peach Posted: Monday May 12, 2025 4:39 PM Subject: Registration open - Trends in Heritage Science Message: The National Heritage Science Forum (NHSF) is delighted to announce that registration is now open for its first annual conference on the theme Trends in Heritage Science. Join us in-person on 10th July 2025 at University College London, Engineering Front Building, Malet Place, London WC1E 7JE, United Kingdom. This year's conference explores: · The economic value of heritage science · Sustainable historic buildings · Digital innovation in heritage science Through a combination of presentations and discussion sessions <https://www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk/what-we-do/programme-register-2025> we will explore the role of heritage science research and innovation in addressing these global challenges. In addition, there will be a wide-ranging poster session, opportunities to network with our exhibitors, and a choice of three workshops: · Lifecyle Assessments to Measure the Impact of Heritage Science · RICHeS: Empowering Conservation and Heritage Science through a Distributed Research Infrastructure · Speed Mentoring for Emerging Professionals Registration is open until 20th June 2025. Please book here <https://www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk/what-we-do/programme-register-2025>. £75 NHSF Members <https://www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk/members> (including members of Icon, the Institute of Conservation) £50 Students £150 Non-members We are pleased to provide 6 bursaries to support attendance at the conference (cost of registration). Further information is available at: https://www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk/what-we-do/programme-register-2025 <https://www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk/what-we-do/programme-register-2025> The deadline for bursary applications is 29th May 2025. Conference information: https://www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk/what-we-do/nhsf-conference-trends-in-heritage-science <https://www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk/what-we-do/nhsf-conference-trends-in-heritage-science> --- Caroline Peach On behalf of National Heritage Science Forum www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk <https://www.heritagescienceforum.org.uk> ------------------------------ Caroline Peach Consultant London United Kingdom ------------------------------ 6.From: Carolyn Tallent Posted: Monday May 12, 2025 11:05 PM Subject: WAAC Newsletter Message: The latest WAAC Newsletter (nominally January but sometimes things take longer than they should) is in the mail to members. It contains, besides the usual columns, two features. A fascinating description of a method for cleaning delicate surfaces: The Formulation and Use of Customized Foams for Surface Cleaning of Artworks and Cultural Heritage Objects by Peter Kopp and an example of collaboration that allowed a museum object to be used in a synagogue ceremony The Lodz Torah: Community Centered Conservation by Margalit Schindler I am also slogging my way through prepping a number of back issues to go online, which contain many excellent articles. And finally, submissions to the Newsletter are always welcome. The Newsletter focuses on treatment and collections care issues, but covers a wide variety of topics. It’s a place to publish good information that may not be appropriate for a journal but is more substantive than can be covered in a distlist post. We will also reprint articles that have appeared elsewhere if it’s likely that our members / readers may not have seen them. Carolyn Editor 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 https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
