Courses at West Dean College

Chemistry course for Book and Paper Conservators
April 28 - May 3, 2002.
Tutor David Dorning

    This course is designed as an introduction or refresher in
    chemistry for Book or Paper conservators. It will involve both
    seminars and practical sessions, and is aimed at promoting an
    informed approach to chemical and scientific issues in the
    conservation of Books and Paper. It is recognised that science,
    and specifically chemistry, is not a subject that all
    conservators find easy to relate to the objects they treat on
    the bench. However at the same time students on this course,
    both beginners and conservators of long experience, often find
    they already understand many of the principles of the subject
    intuitively, although not perhaps in the formal language used by
    the chemist.

    The course will identify areas where chemistry is particularly
    significant to the conservation of books and paper, and
    concentrate on understanding the principles behind this
    significance. The amount of quantitative work is kept to a
    minimum, and the main thrust is in understanding the familiar
    materials of books and paper in chemical terms, and
    understanding how the common reagents and processes used in
    conservation interact with them and affect the way they behave.
    Applicants are not required to have any specific qualifications
    in chemistry.

    Topics to be covered

        Basic chemistry
        The molecular view of materials
        Cleaning and organic solvents
        Polymers, adhesives and consolidants
        Energy, light and environment
        Degradation of materials
        Catalysts, enzymes and rates of reaction
        Molarity, acids and bases and deacidification
        Skin materials and tannins
        Materials testing and analytical techniques
        Question session

    Cost including 4 days accommodation in single study bedrooms and
    all meals UKP412

Edge Tool Sharpening for book and paper conservators
June 10-13, 2002
Tutor Bernard Allen

    This is a 4 day practical course in the making and sharpening of
    knives and tools for conservators, with a chance to explore a
    range of different techniques and equipment. Through lectures
    and practical demonstrations, conservators will gain experience
    and understanding of different types of steel, and the correct
    techniques for creating and maintaining a sharp edge on their
    tools. Course participants are invited to bring their own tools
    to work on, and all students should have the opportunity to make
    a knife.

    The excellent workshop facilities at West Dean College provide
    an opportunity to gain a thorough grounding in this vital aspect
    of conservators' work, enabling a very high standard of work to
    be achieved.

    Cost including 4 days accommodation in single study bedrooms and
    all meals UKP412

For details of either of these courses;

    David Dorning
    West Dean College
    Chichester
    West Sussex PO18 0QZ
    UK
    +44 1243 811301
    Fax: +44 1243 811343
    david.dorning [at] westdean__org__uk

Kathryn Kellagher
Marketing Officer, West Dean College
+44 1243 818208



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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:65
                  Distributed: Tuesday, March 26, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-15-65-013
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