Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. RE: Ultra Pure Water 2. RE: Code of Ethics questions 3. RE: preserving kumkum powder 4. Sesión/Sessão/Session 3 - TBMA en/na/in Latam 5. Carbon Photographs by Julia Margaret Cameron 6. AIC Awards: Call for Nominations 7. Requesting samples for training course in materials analysis ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Sonia Jones Posted: Wednesday September 23, 2026 9:38 AM Subject: RE: Ultra Pure Water Message: Hi Christian, Many thanks for your reply and also for the link to the Handbook of Surface Cleaning. I appreciate I may not have been looking in the right places for research on UPW, but in respect of its use in Conservation, there does appear to be very little in the way of formal research into UPW, so I'm doubly grateful to you for replying and sharing the link. Many thanks. @Barry Knight <https://www.culturalheritage.org/profile?UserKey=d9589f09-1b92-4129-9a2d-40b5d4b3125c> and @Stephanie Matthews <https://www.culturalheritage.org/profile?UserKey=8f9b1c68-3357-4f1b-8c32-c6defdb3b86a> - thank you both too for your email replies to my query. Unfortunately, I'm not an AIC member and so am not able to reply to either of your emails, but I was grateful for them nonetheless. ------------------------------ Sonia Jones Heritage Lead UK Government Liverpool United Kingdom ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-18-2026 11:21 From: Christian Mueller-Straten Subject: Ultra Pure Water UPW is probably the equivalent of German demineralized water. You are absolutely right to be extremely cautious, as it is one of the most aggressive solvents in existence. Unfortunately, many conservators are unaware of this; they regard it for example as a "clean final cleaning agent"... Ideally, it should be used only in air-conditioning systems, where tap water might cause limescale buildup. Because it constantly seeks to replenish its mineral content, it leaches pigments-for instance, from unvarnished oil paintings. For this reason, the German conservator Dr. Paul-Bernhard Eipper (an IIC Fellow) repeatedly warns against the use of demineralized water in his *Handbuch der Oberflächenreinigung* (Handbook of Surface Cleaning). This Handbook (with 120 contributors) is the European standard and contains also chapters on stone and imitated stone surfaces. See: https://www.ebook-shop-museumaktuell.de/shop <https://www.ebook-shop-museumaktuell.de/shop> Best Christian ------------------------------ [Christian] [Mueller-Straten] [Researcher, Publisher, Art Historian] [Owner] [Verlag Dr. Christian Mueller-Straten] [Munich] [Germany] [0049-89-839 690 43] [https://www.museum-aktuell.de] https://www.museum-aktuell.de/CEO <https://www.museum-aktuell.de/CEO> ------------------------------ 2.From: Samantha Springer Posted: Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:38 PM Subject: RE: Code of Ethics questions Message: Catherine, Thanks for your questions and an opportunity to share this background. FYI, an article in the AIC newsletter is forthcoming with a much lengthier background on the history of the Code of Ethics and its importance to our organization. Please look out for that. To answer the questions you posed: The Ethics Core Document Review Task Force was established in 2022 consisting of eight members with a broad remit: to review the 1994 Code and Guidelines; establish subgroups; liaise with AIC Committees, Networks, Specialty Groups and affiliated professional organizations; and propose changes to the Code, Guidelines, and Commentaries. The core team has led this effort in collaboration with many other AIC members Member Selection: The Equity and Inclusion Committee chose one member; the Held in Trust Philosophy and Ethics Working Group selected one member; the AIC board selected the remaining six after an open call for participation among all members regardless of status. Additionally, an AIC staff member was appointed to serve in a project management capacity and to consult with legal counsel as necessary and an AIC Board Director was selected to serve as liaison. This hybrid approach to forming the task force-involving the board, staff, Ethics and Standards Committee, an existing Philosophy and Ethics Working Group, and all interested AIC members-sought to ensure a diverse and inclusive task force broadly representative of AIC's many facets. Working Process: In 2023, the Core Group issued an open call for participation in six subgroups of five people each to review the Core Documents with the following focuses: Cultural Heritage Terminology, Environmental Sustainability, Inclusive Collaboration, Investigation and Intervention, Preventive Conservation, and Professional Sustainability and Practice. The Core Group reviewed and assessed the ethical documents of other related membership organizations and met with members of the 1990-1994 revision committee. After receiving the recommendations of the subgroups, the Core Group then met to reconcile the changes, a draft was sent to the AIC Board of Directors, and the core group incorporated comments from the board. The updated draft was then shared with leadership from all AIC committees, networks, specialty groups, the board of directors, and the six original task force subgroups. The Core Group received additional feedback from these groups, which was reviewed and incorporated into a second draft. This draft was shared with all AIC members in February 2025 and additional feedback was solicited through listening sessions, an online form, and a session at the 2025 AIC Annual Meeting. Since that period of discussion and feedback, the Core Group prepared a final draft Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practice, along with an associated Glossary earlier this year, which was shared with the board before undergoing legal review. The task force is currently reconciling the comments from the legal review. We plan to share the final document with all members before the end of the year. Updates have been shared throughout the process in various ways. However, because the process has been lengthy, these updates may feel sparse and can get lost among other more pressing notices. Thank you for letting us know that more information is needed. Please reach out with any other questions! ------------------------------ Samantha Springer, Professional Member and Fellow Owner and Principal Conservator, Art Solutions Lab Portland, OR [email protected] ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-21-2026 10:13 From: Catherine Stephens Subject: Code of Ethics questions Hello all,I am still thinking about the recent vote related to who gets to vote on modifications and updates to the Code of Ethics (CoE). Is it possible to learn if the team working on edits is limited to the six members depicted at AIC's Code of Ethics webpage or if it is a larger team? And is it possible to learn how the team was selected? I apologize for being late to the game, but I am interested in knowing what portion of the membership is working on this and if we as a membership might receive any progress reports on how the process is proceeding. I know it would help me get a better grip on what modifications are being discussed and what I might be asked to vote on at a later date. Thank you,Catherine -- Catherine H. Stephens, Ph.D. (she/her) 3.From: Susanna Donovan Posted: Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:38 PM Subject: RE: preserving kumkum powder Message: Hi Laura! What a fascinating topic. Admittedly, I know nothing about this faith, but I wonder what is done with items that are blessed in this way in the culture itself, and if that could inform your approach. If the kumkum powder is meant to be ephemeral once the ceremony is over, I wonder if you might be able to save a sample of the original powder in a vial as evidence and then speak to the members of the faith about how to dispose of the remaining powder respectfully. Photodocumentation of the state of the books with the powder on top could be included on the inside of any housings made for these books. Sue ------------------------------ Sue Donovan Conservator for Special Collections University of Virginia Library Charlottesville, Virginia [email protected] (434) 924-8102 ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 09-16-2026 20:44 From: Laura Mirebeau Subject: preserving kumkum powder Kia ora koutou – greetings everyone Archives Library New Zealand have recently received a collection of holy scriptures from the Swaminarayan faith. A ceremony was organised as part of the deposit and the scriptures as well as the men present were blessed with the imposition of kumkum. We were told the kumkum used was made from turmeric powder (haldi). My research has led me to understand the red tone of the turmeric powder is obtained by chemical reaction when adding slaked lime (calcium hydroxide) to the turmeric powder. I would be grateful for any additional information about the composition of the kumkum powder and whether any binder (gum, oil?) is traditionally added to the powder ahead of the ceremonial imposition to make it stick. I would also welcome any experience in preserving or conserving the red powder, specifically on books. I would be interested to hear about any consolidation / adhesion attempts or any other methods that would successfully retain the powder on the books. The books in question are all hard covered books, with a variety of surface textures for the boards (more or less porous) and one book has a glossy dust-jacket. Ngā mihi nui – many thanks Laura Mirebeau (she/her <https://aus01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.publicservice.govt.nz%2Four-work%2Fdiversity-and-inclusion%2Fpronoun-use-in-email-signatures&data=05%7C02%7CLaura.Mirebeau%40dia.govt.nz%7Ca5e14a8ffe4d4dc8c0c108de32d44898%7Cf659ca5cfc474e96b24d14c95df13acb%7C0%7C0%7C639004084512896969%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FZjnMs%2BOZJdFWexaEMmtX7bQQM2bA4zu7Fprh%2BOilZ0%3D&reserved=0>), Kaitauwhiro Pukapuka me ngā Pepa | Conservator, Books and Paper | <[email protected] <[email protected]>> Archives Library New Zealand 2 Aitken Street, Thorndon, Wellington, New Zealand | http://natlib/govt.nz/ <http://natlib/govt.nz/> | Archives New Zealand <https://www.archives.govt.nz/> Archives Library NZ are part of the Department of Internal Affairs ------------------------------ Laura Mirebeau Book and Paper Conservator National Library of New Zealand Wellington New Zealand ------------------------------ 4.From: adrian hernandez Posted: Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:39 PM Subject: Sesión/Sessão/Session 3 - TBMA en/na/in Latam Message: This message is in Spanish, Portuguese, and English ==================================================================== ESPANOL: Estimades Colegas, El Conservation Center de la New York University se complace en anunciar que presentará la tercera sesión del Taller sobre el cuidado y la preservación de arte multimedia ("time-based media art") en Latinoamérica (TBMA en Latam). La tercera sesión se centrará en estudios de caso sobre el tratamiento y las estrategias de tratamiento para obras de arte basadas en software, un videojuego, una obra de literatura electrónica, net art, entre otras. Nuestros ponentes Iván Abreu, Arcángelo Constantini y Claudio Hernández presentarán estos ejemplos desde sus perspectivas individuales como artista, curador y conservador, todos ellos activos en Latinoamérica. Tras los estudios de caso se realizará un debate y una sesión de preguntas y respuestas moderadas por Caroline Gil Rodríguez. La Sesión 3 se realizará a través de Zoom el 12 de octubre y tendrá una duración de tres horas, comenzando a las 09:00 (Ciudad de México, UTC-6) / 10:00 (Bogotá, UTC-5) / 11:00 (Nueva York, UTC-4) / 12:00 (São Paulo, UTC-3). El evento es gratuito y abierto al público. Esta sesión contará con conferencias en español con interpretación en directo al inglés y al portugués. El taller está organizado por el Conservation Center de la New York University, con el generoso apoyo de la Mellon Foundation. Es necesario registrarse, por lo que le pedimos que visite nuestro sitio web <https://ifa.nyu.edu/conservation/tbm-latin-america-es.html>, y haga clic en el botón de RSVP situado debajo del encabezado de la sesión 3 e introduzca sus datos para recibir el enlace de Zoom para nuestro evento. Puede encontrar más información sobre el evento en nuestro sitio web <https://ifa.nyu.edu/conservation/tbm-latin-america-es.html>. Agradeceríamos mucho que difundiera el siguiente anuncio con colegas de América Latina que gestionan o cuidan colecciones que podrían incluir obras de arte multimedia ("time-based media art"). ¡Muchas Gracias! ==================================================================== PORTUGUÊS Prezados colegas, O Conservation Center da Universidade de Nova York tem o prazer de anunciar que realizará a terceira e última sessão do Workshop sobre cuidado e preservação de arte multimídia (time-based media art) na América Latina (TBMA na Latam). A terceira sessão terá como foco estudos de caso sobre os tratamentos e as estratégias de tratamento de obras de arte baseadas em software, uma obra com videogame, e uma obra de literatura eletrônica, net art, entre outras. Os palestrantes Iván Abreu, Arcángelo Constantini e Claudio Hernández apresentarão esses exemplos a partir de suas perspectivas individuais de artista, de curador e de conservador, todos atuantes na América Latina. As apresentações serão seguidas por uma discussão e uma sessão de perguntas e respostas, moderadas por Caroline Gil Rodríguez. A sessão 3 será realizada no Zoom em 12 de outubro, com duração de três horas, começando às 09:00 (Cidade do México, UTC-6) / 10:00 (Bogotá, UTC-5) / 11:00 (Nova York, UTC-4) / 12:00 (São Paulo, UTC-3). O evento é gratuito e aberto ao público. As palestras serão em espanhol, com tradução simultânea para português e inglês. O workshop é organizado pelo Conservation Center do Institute of Fine Arts da Universidade de Nova York, com o generoso apoio da Mellon Foundation. A inscrição é obrigatória, por isso acesse nosso site <https://ifa.nyu.edu/conservation/tbm-latin-america-pt.html> e clique no botão RSVP logo abaixo do cabeçalho da Sessão 3 e insira suas informações para receber o link do Zoom para o nosso evento. Você pode encontrar mais informações sobre o evento em nosso site <https://ifa.nyu.edu/conservation/tbm-latin-america-pt.html>. Ficaremos muito gratos se você puder compartilhar o seguinte anúncio com colegas que trabalham com arte multimídia na América Latina. Muito obrigado! ================================================================== ENGLISH Dear Colleagues, The Conservation Center at New York University is happy to announce that we will be hosting the third and final session of our Workshop on the Care and Preservation of Time-based Media Art in Latin America (TBMA in Latam). The third session will focus on case studies of treatment and treatment strategies for software-based artworks, a videogame work, a work of electronic literature, net art, and others. Our speakers Iván Abreu, Arcángelo Constantini, and Claudio Hernández will present these examples from their individual perspectives as artist, curator, and conservator working in Latin America. The presentations will be followed by a discussion and Q and A session that will be moderated by Caroline Gil Rodríguez. Session 3 will be held on Zoom on October 12th for three hours, starting at 09:00 (Ciudad de México, UTC-6) / 10:00 (Bogotá, UTC-5) / 11:00 (New York, UTC-4) / 12:00 (São Paulo, UTC-3). The event is free and open to the public. Lectures will be in Spanish with live interpretation to Portuguese, and English. The workshop is hosted by the Conservation Center at the Institute of Fine Arts, New York University with generous support of the Mellon Foundation. Registration is required. Please go to our website <https://ifa.nyu.edu/conservation/tbm-latin-america.html> and click on the RSVP button below the Session 3 header and enter your information to receive the Zoom link for our event. More information about the event can be found on our website <https://ifa.nyu.edu/conservation/tbm-latin-america.html>. We would greatly appreciate it if you would share the following announcement with colleagues in Latin America who care for collections that may contain time-based media art. Thank you! ------------------------------ adrian hernandez Co-Organizer of the TBMA in Latam Workshop ------------------------------ 5.From: Diane Tafilowski Posted: Wednesday September 23, 2026 1:40 PM Subject: Carbon Photographs by Julia Margaret Cameron Message: Has anyone washed a carbon photograph by Julia Margaret Cameron? -- Diane Tafilowski Conservation of Photographs & Art on Paper 617-999-0919 [email protected] <[email protected]> 6.From: Vanessa Applebaum Posted: Wednesday September 23, 2026 8:30 PM Subject: AIC Awards: Call for Nominations Message: The AIC Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2027 awards! Please consider recognizing a colleague, mentor, or organization whose contributions to conservation deserve acknowledgment. You can review the award <https://www.culturalheritage.org/conservation-at-work/advance/awards?_zs=kFaam1&_zl=1ertA>categories <https://www.culturalheritage.org/conservation-at-work/advance/awards?_zs=kFaam1&_zl=1ertA> and find information about the nomination process on the AIC website. Nominations can be made here <https://www.culturalheritage.org/conservation-at-work/advance/awards?_zs=kFaam1&_zl=1ertA>. The deadline for all nominations is December 31, 2026. Recipients will be honored at AIC's 55th Annual Meeting in Albuquerque. If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]. ------------------------------ Vanessa Applebaum Director of Conservation Toledo Museum of Art [email protected] ------------------------------ 7.From: Patricia McGuiggan Posted: Wednesday September 23, 2026 8:32 PM Subject: Requesting samples for training course in materials analysis Message: All, I teach Materials Characterization at JHU. I am looking for 3 samples for my students to analyze as part of the class. I would prefer samples from non-profit institutions. The samples should be relatively large - at least a few mm. Stratigraphy studies are not ideal for this class. Tests might include XRD, SEM, FTIR, XRF among others. If you have a question about a material in your institution and you would like my students to analyze it, let me know. Thanks Patty McGuiggan PI, Heritage Science for Conservation, JHU 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.
