Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: Cultural Heritage Destruction in Iran 2. Searching for Dacron Fabric Alternatives ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Rosa Lowinger Posted: Saturday March 14, 2026 11:33 AM Subject: RE: Cultural Heritage Destruction in Iran Message: Thank you, Aisha, for this important post. In 2001, we were horrified when the Taliban destroyed the Bamiyan Buddhas. In 2015, ditto when Isis destroyed Palmyra and a long list of Shiite, Christian, and pre-Islamic sites in the region. Now the U.S. and Israel are targeting Iranian heritage with impunity. There is no moral ambiguity here, as far as our profession is concerned. Thank you for providing the resources for speaking out. Rosa Lowinger, F-AIC, FAPT, FAAR 09Founder/ Principal ConservatorRLA Conservation of Art + Architecture <http://www.rlaconservation.com> Miami Los Angeles 305.573.7011 323.377.8425Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/RLAConservation> | Instagram <https://www.instagram.com/rlaconservation/> | Website <https://rlaconservation.com/> New Yorker on Dwell Time <https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/11/06/the-woman-restoring-basquiats-forgotten-ferris-wheel> Kirkus Starred Review of Dwell Time <https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/rosa-lowinger/dwell-time/> This email message and any files attached are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s), are confidential and may contain privileged information from Rosa Lowinger & Associates. The information is intended solely for use by the individual(s) or entit(ies) named as the recipient hereof and is also covered by the electronic communications privacy act (18 USC Sections 2510-2521). Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, copying or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email immediately and destroy copies of the original message. ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 3/12/2026 11:40:00 PM From: Aisha Wahab Subject: Cultural Heritage Destruction in Iran For anyone that has missed the latest calls and warnings from our cultural heritage sector about the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage in Iran by the United States and Israel, UNESCO <https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unesco-expresses-concern-over-protection-cultural-heritage-sites-amidst-escalating-violence-middle>, ICOM <https://icom.museum/en/news/icom-calls-for-protection-of-museums-and-cultural-heritage-amid-conflict-in-iran-the-gulf-region-and-the-eastern-mediterranean/>, Museum Associations <https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2026/03/blue-shield-warns-of-potential-war-crimes-against-irans-cultural-sites/>, ICOMOS <https://www.icomos.org/actualite/icomos-statement-middle-east/>, and USCBS <https://uscbs.org/statement-iran-conflict-cultural-heritage-march-2026/> have all posted about the concern for Iranian cultural heritage, the warning of potential war crimes against Iran's cultural sites, and the call for protection of cultural heritage in Iran. We are currently witnessing the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage, the loss of civilian life, and harm to our planet with this current war on Iran. The deliberate destruction of cultural heritage is against our code of ethics, against what we stand for as cultural heritage protectors, it violates the Geneva Conventions' Additional Protocols, the 1954 Hague Convention, and it violates international law. In less than 2 weeks of war, thousands of civilians have been killed or injured, toxic rain from bombed oil depots threatens the planet and people's health, and it has been reported that several UNESCO World Heritage sites have been damaged in Iran including the Golestan Palace, the Chehel Sotoon, the Masjed e-Jameh of Isfahan, Ali Qapu palace, several mosques around Nash e-Jahan Square, and prehistoric sites of the Khorrambad Valley. I fell in love with Iranian art and architecture prior to my career in conservation, when I was interning at the LA County Museum of Art under the Art of the Middle East Curator, Linda Komaroff, who showed me a world of magnificent beauty, craftsmanship and culture. A year and a half ago I fell in love all over again when I finally got the opportunity to visit Iran and witness in-person it's beauty, the kindness and hospitality of its people, and it's rich culture and history. I visited most of these World Heritage sites that have been damaged. It is heart breaking to witness such historical, cultural, and human loss and to know that my government is responsible, and my taxes are contributing to it. Please continue to stay informed, call your representatives, and use your voice to speak out against unethical wars, the deaths of civilians, and the destruction of cultural heritage. For further articles on the issue: https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/03/10/unesco-sites-in-iranian-city-of-isfahan-and-others-across-countrydamaged-by-us-israel-strikes <https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2026/03/10/unesco-sites-in-iranian-city-of-isfahan-and-others-across-countrydamaged-by-us-israel-strikes> https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/12/dismay-as-ancient-heritage-sites-across-iran-damaged-in-us-israel-bombing <https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/12/dismay-as-ancient-heritage-sites-across-iran-damaged-in-us-israel-bombing> https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/world/middleeast/iran-heritage-sites-damaged.html <https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/11/world/middleeast/iran-heritage-sites-damaged.html> ------------------------------ Aisha Wahab (she/her) Paper Conservator Stanford Libraries ------------------------------ 2.From: Marianne Kelsey Posted: Saturday March 14, 2026 7:45 PM Subject: Searching for Dacron Fabric Alternatives Message: Hello AIC Members, I am wondering if anyone has recommendations for a source of fabric that will work well in what has traditionally been referred to as Dacron lining of two dimensional paper artifacts. I had a source of nylon outdoor fabric that worked well, which I used to purchase from Joann's. Sadly, they closed, and so now I find myself once again searching for a textile that will work well for this application. Does anyone have a fabric/material they like and would recommend? I thank you all in advance for any recommendations you can share! All My Best, ------------------------------ Marianne Kelsey Paper Conservator Kelsey Conservation Greensboro NC ------------------------------ 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.
