LABORATORY TECHNIQUES III

Course Outline

Course Number: 1380212

Fall Semester, 1998

Sir Sandford Fleming College

Collections Conservation and Management Program

Community Development & Health

Semester III

Course Format: 6 hrs. Laboratory work

Hours: Monday 9-12 am. 1-4 pm.

Selena Doyle, Office # 371B
Office Hours: Monday 4-5 p.m.
e-mail: sdoyle@flemingc.on.ca

Vocational Outcomes:

This course has been designed to comply with standards and ethics as prescribed by IIC-CG (CAC), CAPC and ICOM Committee for Professional Museum Training.

Generic Skills Outcomes:

Communications:

1. communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in written and visual form, descriptive and explanatory information regarding paper and textile objects and lab procedures.

Math Skills:

2. use of various mathematical techniques to accurately record dimensions, construct supports and housings, and measure chemical solutions.

Interpersonal Skills:

3. interact with instructor and others in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and achievement of individual and group goals.

4. Manage use of time and resources to attain project related goals.

5. Act ethically, taking responsibility for own actions and decisions.

Analytical Skills:

6. collect, analyze and organize relevant information from a variety of sources

7. propose appropriate solutions that meet identified needs

General Education Goal Area:

N/A

Course Description:

Applied laboratory work focuses on: identification and assessment of materials, cleaning methods; basic treatments; repair techniques and storage and display methods for textiles and works of art on paper. Emphasis is placed on the written, drawn and photographic documentation of objects. Conservation skills are developed through the mastery of theoretical and practical laboratory work *NOTE: Students wishing to pursue a specialization in textile conservation should be prepared to develop additional sewing skills.

Corequisites: 1380204, 1380209, 1380215, 1380216

Prerequisites: 1380202, 1380207, 1380210, 1380213, 1380203, 1380208, 1380211, 1380214

Aim:

To enable students to identify, assess and treat paper, vellum and parchment and dry and liquid media. To enable the students to identify, assess and treat fibres, costumes and textiles.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course, the learner has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

The Conservation of Paper

1. discuss the ethics and aesthetics as they relate to paper

2. write accurate and detailed condition reports and assessments for paper objects, using standard terminology

3. apply knowledge of characteristics, properties and behaviours of paper and parchment in making decisions regarding conservation treatment

4. apply knowledge of characteristics, properties and behaviours of various media (eg. wet and dry marking materials such as inks, dyes, charcoal, graphite, etc.) used on paper and parchment.

5. clean paper using a variety of wet and dry techniques ( including mechanical methods and use of the cold suction table)

6. repair and stabilize paper objects

7. understand the special characteristics and problems of the treatment and care of vellum and parchment.

8. demonstrate safe handling and storage techniques for paper

9. use matting and framing techniques to prepare works on paper for storage and display

The Conservation of Textiles

10. discuss the issues of ethics and aesthetics as they apply to textile conservation

11. write accurate and detailed condition reports and assessments for textile objects, using standard terminology

12. analyze various fibres, dyes and colourants using assorted examination techniques and tests

13. apply knowledge of historic textile manufacturing processes, costume construction and finishing methods to making decisions regarding conservation treatment of textiles and their decorative surfaces

14. carry out dry and wet cleaning methods for costumes and textiles

15. repair, support and stabilize textiles

16. compare various hand sewing techniques with use of a sewing machine

17. demonstrate safe handling, storage and mounting techniques

18. understand special issues relating to historic house furnishings

Learning Sequence:

Learning Resources:

Students will be required to purchase an assortment of tools, artist's brushes, colour slide film and slide holders. Students are encouraged to buy their own lab coat, safety goggles, respirator mask and cartridges. The art conservation laboratory will be available for student use during most evenings and weekends.* Students must adhere to the Mandatory requirements to qualify for lab privileges.

Students are encouraged to review library resources and purchase the following required texts:

Baldwin, Gordon, Looking at Photographs - A Guide to Technical Terms, J P Getty/British Museum Press 1991

IIC-CG/CAPC, Code of Ethics and Guidance for Practice, Ottawa, ON, 1989

CCI Notes, Canadian Conservation Institute, Ottawa, ON

Carr, Dawson & Leonard, Mark, Looking at Paintings - A Guide to Technical Terms, J Paul Getty/British Museum Press 1992

Conservation of Photographs, Kodak, NY 1985

Ellis, Margaret Holben, The Care of Prints and Drawings, AltaMira Press, Walnut Creek, CA 1995

Goldman,Paul, Looking at Prints, Drawings and Watercolours - A Guide to Technical Terms, J Paul Getty/British Museum Press 1988

Humpheries, Mary, Fabric Glossary, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1996

----, Fabric Reference, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1996

Reilly, James M., Care and Identification of 19th Century Photographic Prints, Kodak, NY 1986

Goldman,Paul, Looking at Prints, Drawings and Watercolours - A Guide to Technical Terms, J Paul Getty/British Museum Press 1988

Assessment Plan:

Students will carry out all documentation and treatment of objects in accordance with professional standards and code of ethics.

Assessment will be made according to the following criteria: standard of practical work, efficient use of scheduled laboratory time, neatness, economical use of materials, initiative, dedication and interest.

Item Value in Percent Due Date

Stitches used in Textile Conservation

Note: Above dates may be subject to change.

PLA options and contact for this course:

Contact Gayle McIntyre

Academic Responsibilities:

Mandatory Requirements for Laboratory Use

1. The conservation laboratory is to be locked at all times when not in use.

2. Students will work in the laboratory with at least one other person (ie. the buddy system)

3. Eating, drinking, and smoking are not permitted in the laboratory.

4. Students will not be permitted in the lab under the influence of alcohol or narcotics

5. Each student has the responsibility for practising safe laboratory procedures.

6. Artifacts and course supplies will not be permitted to leave the laboratory.

7. It is the student's responsibility to label and identify personal equipment or related belongings.

8. Students are required to store personal belongings such as coats, boots, etc. in their lockers.

9. Students will respect all artifacts and projects, thereby not handling any treatment in progress, other than their own, unless given permission to do so.

10. Students are not permitted to use personal property as projects to be evaluated.

11. Attendance will be monitored during scheduled lab time, and failure to work under the direct supervision of faculty may result in the suspension of lab privileges.

Course Policies

Collections Conservation and Management

1. Presentation

Written assignments must be:

• typed or word-processed
• double spaced
• proofed for spelling and grammatical errors
• enclosed with a single cover sheet which includes student name, title of the assignment and date of submission
• stapled in the top left hand corner (unbound)
• include a bibliography (where appropriate)
• use a recognized method of citation (eg. MLA or Chicago)

2. Re-writes

Faculty may request a re-write of a submission if the criteria for assessment have not been met. Late penalties will apply if the assignment is not re-submitted the following day.

3. Penalties for Late Submissions

Completion of Term Work

• All assignments must be completed in order for students to achieve a passing grade.

Late Assignments

Late assignments receive the following penalty:

• Marks will be deducted at the rate of 10% per day for three days after which assignments are marked at zero.
• Faculty are not obliged to provide feedback on assignments marked at zero.

Oral Presentations

• Oral presentations and/or practical test or projects for evaluation must be delivered on the day scheduled. A "no-show" will be graded at zero, unless adequate explanation is provided.

4. Academic Integrity

Plagiarism is a serious breach of academic integrity and the college has a strict policy on this issue (see Academic Regulations).

• It is a student's responsibility to ensure that all written submissions include an appropriate method of in text citation as well as an accompanying bibliography.
• Seminar and oral presentations should be supported by a bibliography and sources should be referred to during the presentation.

5. Make-up Tests

In valid circumstances (ill-health, personal crisis), a student may be given a make-up test to compensate for one missed in class-time. Students must contact the instructor within seven days of the original test in order to request a make-up.

6. Extensions & GDFS

• An extension may be granted to an individual student based on need and circumstance. Medical grounds should be substantiated.
• The revised due date will be recorded and signed by both parties.
• The entire class may be given an extension, at the discretion of faculty.
• Incomplete a Grade Deferred marks at the end of the semester must be negotiated between student and faculty (see Academic Regulations). Note: these are a privilege to be granted under special circumstances, not used in order to compensate for poor planning.

7. Site Work

Students must agree to work within the parameters of the guidelines established for site work. Failure to comply, may result in the termination of project and suspension of the privilege of access.