ICN masterclasses

ICN-masterclasses 2005
International courses for conservators and curators

For information, please contact:

    ICN / The Netherlands Institute for Cultural Heritage
    Angeniet Boeve (angeniet.boeve<-a t->icn< . >nl) or
    Monique de Louwere (monique.de.louwere<-a t->icn< . >nl
    Gabriel Metsustraat 8
    1071 EA  Amsterdam
    The Netherlands
    +31 20 3054620
    Fax: +31 20 3054620
    <URL:http://www.icn.nl>

Adhesive techniques in textile conservation
Sep 9, 2005

    Content: The aim of the workshop is to try out main groups of
    adhesives commonly used in textile conservation (thermoplastics,
    cellulose based and natural adhesives), with some of their
    varieties; to experiment with different casting methods for
    applying the adhesive to support fabrics and to experiment with
    different application methods, using heat, solvents and barrier
    layers, and assessing their suitability. The workshop enables
    the participant to make an informed choice on the suitability of
    adhesive treatments between solvent re-activation or heat
    re-activation; to select the appropriate adhesive and to prepare
    it and to select the appropriate application method. The course
    will pay attention to the theory of adhesives, health and
    safety; case studies and practicals. Too many techniques and
    materials are involved in this workshop to do in five days.
    After the basic excercises the participant is free to choose a
    program of personal interest.

    Target group:   Conservators of textiles
    Instructor:     Emmy de Groot
                    Textile conservator and teacher ICN, The
                    Netherlands
    Participants:   10
    Location:       Instituut Collectie Nederland, Amsterdam
    Study material: Reader
    Price:          Euro 795,-

    On request this course can also be organized abroad.

Preservation issues surrounding contemporary photographs
Sep 20-23, 2005

    Content: The goal of this workshop is to provide the
    conservator, curator or collection manager with a general
    understanding of the most important preservation aspects
    surrounding contemporary photographs. The identification of
    contemporary processes--including chromogenic, silver dye
    bleach, dye diffusion, dye transfer, photograms and a general
    overview of digital prints--will be taught and technical
    information concerning finishing techniques (laminates and
    "Diasec" face-mounting) for contemporary photographs will be
    provided. Aspects of deterioration surrounding contemporary
    photographs and their finishing techniques will be discussed as
    well as preservation standards for the long-term storage of
    contemporary photographs.

    The standards for exhibition lighting and exhibition materials
    will also be discussed and various mounting supports and hanging
    systems will be examined. A practical part of the workshop will
    centre on large format works and participants will be encouraged
    to share their ideas and experiences. Since there are few
    standard answers in this area the goal of the practicum is to
    arrive at a list of working methods and techniques for the
    installation, storage and transport of large works.

    Target group:   Conservators, curators and collection managers
                    with an interest in conservation
    Instructors:    Clara von Waldthausen
                    Fotorestauratieatelier C.C. von Waldthausen,
                    Amsterdam, the Netherlands and
                    Martin Juergens
                    Photograph Conservator, Hamburg, Germany
    Participants:   10
    Location:       Instituut Collectie Nederland, Amsterdam
    Study material: Reader
    Price:          Euro 795,-

Plastics
Sep 28, 2005

    Content: Plastics are found in ethnographical and textile
    collections imitating precious materials like ivory,
    tortoiseshell and amber, in modern art collections of
    three-dimensional non-traditional art, in collections of
    household goods and in collections of scientific equipment.
    Plastics are increasingly found in museum collections. How do we
    deal with plastic and plastic objects in collections? Can we
    identify plastics or different types of plastics, as this is a
    relatively new material? There are guidelines for the passive
    conservation of plastics, but the active conservation of
    plastics still has to be developed. The aim of the course is to
    acquaint conservators, conservation scientists and restorers
    with the current state of knowledge regarding identification,
    degradation and conservation of plastics as used in our cultural
    heritage.

    Target group:   Conservators, conservation scientists, restorers
    Instructors:    Thea van Oosten (senior researcher, ICN)
    Participants:   10
    Location:       Instituut Collectie Nederland, Amsterdam
    Studymaterial:  Reader
    Price:          Euro 595,-

    On request this course can also be organized abroad.

Microscopy and microchemical analysis
Nov 18, 2005

    Content: Introduction to polarised light microscopy and
    microchemical tests for the most important pigments. During this
    intensive five-day course, the student will learn techniques to
    identify the most important pigments used in paintings, from
    medieval times to the twentieth century. The methods for
    identification do not require the help of highly trained
    specialists and expensive instrumentation. After the examination
    of a paint cross-section, the actual identification of pigments
    is based mainly on two complementary techniques: examination of
    optical characteristics of the particles by polarised light
    microscopy (PLM) and identification of constituent  chemical
    elements by conventional (wet) microchemical (MC) analysis. The
    course will include various techniques of micro-sampling from
    art objects. Since most inorganic pigments are mineral and/or
    crystalline, the participants will be introduced to the various
    crystal types (monoclinic, hexagonal etc.), and be introduced to
    aspects that affect the particle morphology such as fracture, or
    twinning. Participants will be introduced to the most important
    aspects of PLM, such as polarisation, pleochroism, refractive
    indices, and birefringence. The reactions of pigments to
    treatment by acids and bases will be studied and their
    identification by specific chemical tests, including chemical
    microscopy (formation of specific crystals) and chemical
    reactions involving colour changes, will be practised.
    Identification of various elements in inorganic compounds, or
    components of natural organic colorants by thin layer
    chromatography will also be discussed. Students will prepare a
    set of reference slides (for future analysis) to take home.
    Thus, polarised light microscopy and micro-chemistry may provide
    the participant with a reliable, low-cost, but accurate means of
    identification of pigments in very small paint samples.

    Target group:   Midcareer conservators of paintings, polychrome
                    sculpture, furniture and decorative arts. Basic
                    knowledge of chemistry is required. Participants
                    are encouraged to bring sample materials of
                    their own objects to the class.
    Instructors:    Karin Groen, BA
                    Researcher, ICN
                    Dr. Arie Wallert
                    conservation scientist, Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
    Participants:   8
    Location:       Instituut Collectie Nederland, Amsterdam
    Study material: Reader, set of tools, reference materials
    Price:          Euro 985.-

    On request this course can also be organized abroad.

Guidelines for selecting display and storage products
Dec 13, 2005

    Content: This workshop will provide an overview of products that
    are available in the market and used for making display cases,
    mount making or used for storage purposed.  Wood products, paper
    products, coatings, textiles and various type of plastic
    products such as sheets, foams, adhesives, wire and tubes will
    be discussed. Some spot tests to identify products will be
    demonstrated.  The use of silica gels and sorbents will also be
    covered.  Basic rules for the selection of products will be
    shown to avoid short and long term problems related to off
    gassing of products or staining by contact with them. The
    workshop will be a combination of different formats: powerpoint
    presentation, examination of samples, group discussion, facility
    visits (visit of a storage or exhibition room). Participants are
    welcome to bring samples for discussion or assessment of their
    suitability. Materials used for treatment of objects will not be
    covered in this workshop.

    Target group:   Collection managers, conservators, exhibit
                    designers
    Instructor:     Jean Tetreault
                    Senior conservation scientist, Canadian
                    Conservation Institute
    Participants:   20
    Location:       Instituut Collectie Nederland, Amsterdam
    Study Material: Handout
                    Reference literature (to consult prior the
                    workshop if wanted): Tetreault, J. "Airborne
                    pollutants in museums, galleries and archives:
                    risk assessment, control strategies and
                    preservation management", Canadian Conservation
                    Institute, Ottawa (2003) 168 p. ill.
                    ISBN 0-662-345059-0
    Price:          Euro 495,-

Angeniet Boeve
Continual Professional Development Officer
Education Department
Instituut Collectie Nederland
Postbus 76709, 1070 KA Amsterdam
+31 20 305 46 55
Fax: +31 20 305 46 20


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:5
                  Distributed: Saturday, July 9, 2005
                        Message Id: cdl-19-5-014
                                  ***