Workshop on photographic conservation

Conservation Issues in Contemporary Photography
A Workshop in Photograph Conservation
funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
Hosted by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
November 4-8, 2002

Utilizing the photography collection at the San Francisco Museum of
Modern Art (SFMOMA), this week-long workshop will acquaint the
participants with the conservation concerns inherent in the
collection, installation, and exhibition of contemporary
photography. An enormous range of materials and techniques are being
used by today's photographic artists. The conservation of
contemporary photography requires problem-solving which often
combines input from the curator, the artist, and allied
professionals. These types of innovative collaborations will be
emphasized throughout the discussions; as will the particular
ethical issues raised in new creative areas in which traditional
media boundaries are undefined. During this workshop, scientists,
conservators, curators, and artists will share technical information
and personal philosophies about the creation, collection,
presentation and often fragile nature of contemporary photographs.

Instructors and guest speakers will include Scott Williams of the
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and Paul Messier of
Boston Art Conservation presenting the chemistry and history of
color materials. Jim Reilly of the Image Permanence Institute will
speak about the importance of cold storage for color collections.
Lee Ann Daffner will discuss the Museum of Modern Art's planned cold
storage facility. Franziska Frey of Rochester Institute of
Technology and Martin Jurgens, Photograph Conservator, will present
the chemistry and identification of digital output materials,
including treatment research. Sylvie Penichon of The Better Image
and Martin Jurgens will present research with face-mounted and
laminated color photographs. A number of contemporary artists will
discuss their work and participate in an artist's panel. Sandra
Phillips, Senior Curator of Photography, will elaborate on
collecting contemporary photographs for SFMOMA.

Eligibility: The workshop is open to recent graduates in photograph
conservation and photograph conservation practitioners who have had
limited access to equivalent training. Enrollment is very limited.

Application Procedure: Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae
and a statement of purpose of no more than 1000 words, clearly
describing why participation in this workshop is important to their
educational and professional goals. Prior experience with the topic
or lack thereof should be noted as well as opportunities for
dissemination of information gained. One sealed letter of approval
from a person knowledgeable about the applicant's qualifications and
educational needs should be included with the application packet.
Applications will be evaluated according to their statements of
purpose, commitment to photograph conservation, educational needs,
letter of recommendation, previous workshops attended, and access to
educational opportunities. If financial aid is necessary for
attending the course, a separate statement should be included.
Financial aid will be awarded on the basis of need and may include
basic travel expenses and a per diem allowance. Funding cannot be
provided until original receipts are submitted.

Application materials should be submitted to

    Mellon Collaborative Course
    c/o Art Conservation Department
    303 Old College, University of Delaware,
    Newark DE 19716

by July 1st, 2002. Decisions will be mailed by August 15th, 2002.
Any questions can be directed to

    Debra Hess Norris
    302-831-3696
    dhnorris [at] udel__edu

or

    Nora Kennedy
    212-650-2168
    nora.kennedy [at] metmuseum__org

or

    Theresa Andrews
    415-357-2870
    tandrews [at] sfmoma__org


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 15:74
                    Distributed: Friday, May 3, 2002
                       Message Id: cdl-15-74-015
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