Courses at West Dean College

West Dean College
Professional Conservators in Practice Courses

The Conservation of Leather
PC5606

April 24-27, 2006

    Although leather is found in association with a wide range of
    objects, this course will concentrate on where it is
    traditionally used on period furniture, as interior decoration,
    upholstery and wallcoverings as well as library materials. The
    course is designed both to explore history, techniques and the
    use of leather and to review current practice in its
    conservation. The format of the course includes demonstrations,
    practical sessions, lectures and case histories and it will be
    presented by two leading practitioners both working and teaching
    in this specialist area.

The Conservation of Hinterglasmalerei
PC5607
May 9-12, 2006

    Reverse-painted glass paintings are generally known by the
    German term Hinterglasmalerei. This course gives the chance to
    learn about the history and technology of this art form and give
    an understanding of the deterioration and
    conservation/restoration of reverse-painted glass. Each
    participant will create a reverse painting on glass using
    traditional methods; the objects made will then be damaged in
    order to test conservation materials and techniques.
    Participants are encouraged to bring their own study objects or
    fragments for discussion.

The Conservation of Wax Objects
PC5608
June 20-23, 2006

    A practical course that will provide an understanding of wax
    objects from a technological, structural and historical
    perspective. Participants will make a seal copy, colour waxes
    and make sheet wax. Conservation practice will relate to the
    cleaning of wax objects and seals, simple repair of broken
    objects and infills. This course is aimed at object conservators
    who wish to develop a greater understanding of the examination
    and treatment issues involved in the preservation of waxes.
    Practitioners involved in production, examination and
    conservation and restoration in this very specialised field will
    provide the teaching.

The Conservation of Plastics
PC5609
July 18-21, 2006

    In association with the ICN Netherlands, West Dean College has
    developed a short course aimed at training conservators to deal
    with modern materials.  Plastics can be 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 can be found in every museum collection and this will
    increase in the future. How do we deal with plastic and plastic
    objects in collections? Can we identify plastics or different
    types of plastic, 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.

For further information, please contact Liz Campbell
<bcm [at] westdean__org__uk>

Liz Campbell
Conservation Short Courses Administrator
West Dean College
West Dean
Chichester
West Sussex PO 18 0QZ
+44 1243 818219
Fax: +44 1243 811343


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 19:34
                Distributed: Thursday, February 2, 2006
                       Message Id: cdl-19-34-021
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