Workshop on 18th century negative processes

Nineteenth Century Photographic Negative Processes
A Workshop in Photograph Conservation funded by The Andrew W. Mellon
    Foundation
Hosted by the International Museum of Photography, Film and
Television at the George Eastman House
13-17 June, 2005

Description: This week-long, intensive workshop will delve into all
aspects of the earliest forms of photographic negative: the paper
negative and wet plate collodion on glass negative. Participants
will create their own images using historic techniques under the
direction of Jonathan Kline of Bennington College, Mark Osterman of
the Advanced Residency Program at the George Eastman House and
France Scully Osterman. An overview of the history of negative
materials will be provided by Maria Fernanda Valverde of Mexico
City, who recently published a book, educational brochure, and
poster on the topic.

Recreations will be made of a couple of variants of each negative
type, reflecting the evolution of these processes during their brief
histories. Jonathan Kline will be recreating both pre-waxed and
unwaxed variants of the paper negative process using vintage
techniques developed in England and France. Practica will be
complemented by lectures on the chemistry, conservation treatment,
preservation, and the history and aesthetics of these nineteenth
century image making techniques.

Guest speakers will include John Bullock of the Chemistry Department
at Bennington College in Vermont. Kate Jennings will discuss the
preservation and treatment of paper negatives. Julian Cox of the J.
Paul Getty Museum will discuss the aesthetics of Julia Margaret
Cameron's work. Examples from the George Eastman House collection
will available for viewing and discussion.

Eligibility: The workshop is open to recent graduates in photograph
conservation and photograph conservation practitioners who have had
limited access to equivalent training. Due to the hands-on nature of
the workshop, enrollment is extremely 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 February 28th, 2005. Decisions will be mailed by March 30th,
2005. Any questions can be directed to

    Debra Hess Norris
    302-831-3696
    dhnorris<-a t->udel< . >edu

or

    Nora Kennedy
    212-650-2168
    nora.kennedy<-a t->metmuseum< . >org


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:37
                Distributed: Wednesday, February 9, 2005
                       Message Id: cdl-18-37-009
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