Workshop on photographic conservation

Mellon Collaborative Workshop: Compensation for Loss in Photographs

Damaged and Deteriorated Photographic Print Materials:
Compensation for Loss

A Collaborative Workshop Funded by
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

Hosted by the J. Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles, CA

28 January 2008 - 1 February, 2008

Description:  Utilizing the Photographs Collection and Paper
Conservation facilities of the J. Paul Getty Museum (JPGM), this
five-day course will investigate compensation techniques employed in
the conservation of damaged and deteriorated historic and
contemporary photographic prints. Demonstrations of techniques will
be carried out by experienced conservators and innovators in the
field. Intensive laboratory sessions will be dedicated to hands-on
practice and experimentation with a variety of compensation
challenges; treatment solutions will be explored over the course of
the workshop. Topics to be addressed or discussed will include color
and light theory, inpainting media and techniques, inserting methods
for losses in photographic paper, historic coating procedures,
isolating layers, work space design, ethics, artist's intent and
exhibition aesthetics.  Compensation issues with a wide variety of
photographic processes from the 19th and 20th centuries will be
examined during the week.

A large part of the workshop will be taught by James Bernstein,
Conservator in Private Practice in San Francisco, and Debra Evans,
Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, who are widely recognized as
skilled teachers in the area of compensation. Other instructors
include Marc Harnly of the J. Paul Getty Museum and Nora Kennedy of
The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Lectures and seminars will
complement the workshop. Photographs Curators, including former JPGM
Associate Gordon Baldwin, will present their observations and
opinions on compensation for photographs. Tours of some other JPGM
conservation studios, including Paintings and Decorative
Arts/Sculpture, will emphasize compensation practices in allied
disciplines and interdisciplinary approaches to compensation
techniques. One ninety-minute session will consist of case studies
and experiences presented and discussed by the course participants.
On the last day of the workshop the class will have the opportunity
to visit the JPGM galleries, including three exhibitions drawn from
the Museum collections. The Goat's Dance: Photographs by Graciela
Iturbide, Andre Kertesz Photographs: Seven Decades, and In Focus:
The Nude.

Eligibility: The Workshop is open to photograph conservators who
have had limited access to equivalent training. Enrollment is
extremely limited. Priority will be given to those with a proven
history for dissemination whether in a formal conservation program,
in the organization of workshops or meetings, through publication,
or through the mentoring of interns.

Application Procedure: Applicants should submit a letter of interest
of no more than 1000 words, a curriculum vitae and one letter of
support. The applicant's letter should describe why participation in
this workshop is important to their educational and professional
goals and how it has direct application to their day-to-day work.
Prior experience with the topic or lack thereof should be noted as
well as opportunities for dissemination of information gained. The
applicant should note other Mellon Collaborative Workshops they have
attended. Limited financial aid will be awarded on the basis of need
and may include some contribution to defray basic travel expenses. A
separate statement indicating the reasons for financial assistance
and a basic budget should be submitted as part of the application.
There is no fee for this workshop.

Applications should be submitted to:

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

by November 16, 2007. Any questions should be
directed to

    Marsha Rybicki
    302-831-0837
    mrybicki [at] udel__edu

Nora W. Kennedy
Sherman Fairchild Conservator of Photographs
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Avenue
New York NY 10028 USA
212-650-2168
Fax: 212-570-3811


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 21:28
                 Distributed: Friday, October 26, 2007
                       Message Id: cdl-21-28-019
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