Workshop on tear mending for canvas paintings

"Thread-by-thread tear mending for canvas paintings"
Universidad Politecnica de Valencia
July 2012

With Petra Demuth

The workshop aims to familiarize conservators with the
thread-by-thread tear mending method for the treatment of torn
canvas paintings.  Through lectures, demonstrations and laboratory
sessions the workshop provides a comprehensive insight into the
different adhesives, tools and techniques used. Petra Demuth will
describe the philosophy of this treatment approach, demonstrate the
methodology, tools and materials, explain when the method is
appropriate, and the advantages and benefits of the reweaving
technique as a treatment option. The technique is carried out under
the microscope using fine tools adapted from dentistry. Although
labor-intensive, the resulting repair is often virtually invisible.
This method allows for the viable repair of tears, for the
realignment of distortions or gaps resulting from tears and can
re-establish the visual and mechanical integrity of the canvas,
while using minimal intervention. This reweaving technique can be
especially effective for unlined paintings as well as for modern
works of art and will add significantly to a conservator's
repertoire for the treatment of tears in fabric-supported paintings.
The thread-by-thread tear mending method can be used as an
alternative for the repair of torn woven fabric, where patching or
lining or inlays are not an option.

INSTRUCTOR

    Petra Demuth studied conservation of paintings and polychrome
    sculptures at the Cologne Institute of Conservation Sciences
    (CICS), Cologne University of Applied Sciences, Germany
    (1990-1994). She has taught conservation of paintings and modern
    art at the Conservation Department of the Academy of Fine Arts
    in Dresden, Germany, as a research assistant with Professor
    Winfried Heiber. After these six years, she worked as a painting
    conservator in private practice in Berlin. She has been a
    technical lecturer in the Department of Restoration and
    Conservation of Paintings, Polychrome Sculptures and Modern Art
    at CICS since 2003. Petra Demuth has demonstrated the
    thread-by-thread tear mending method with Professor Winfried
    Heiber over a number of years. They have offered tear mending
    workshops in Chicago, London, Cambridge, Tokyo, Oslo,
    Copenhagen, Berne, Maastricht, Valencia, London, New Haven and
    Melbourne. Since 2009 Petra Demuth has continued to impart the
    knowledge about this technique in numerous European cities. The
    ideas about the method, its concept, principles and significant
    examples, as well as the content and structure of the workshop,
    all are based on the lifework of Winfried Heiber (2009). It is a
    compilation of almost 30 years of his experience as a
    conservator in private practice and 11 years as a Professor in
    the Conservation Department of the Academy of Fine Arts in
    Dresden, Germany.

Registration online

    1.  Only theory (4 hours)
    Early bird registration: 75 euros until 31 May 2012):

    2.  Theory Lessons and Practical Workshop (20 hours)
    Only 10 places in each group
    Early bird registration:450 euros until 31 May 2012.

    Registration fee includes an individual workstation for each
    participant during the practical workshop and a kit of tools for
    free comprising:

        Micro hot needle, with temperature regulator  and 4 special
        tips

        2 dentist explorer (probe), double ended, cork screw,
        "Weston"

        Microscissors

        Tweezers with curved tips

        Broach holder for insect needle

Further information

    <URL:http://www.cfp.upv.es>
    grupo_lienzo<-at->upv<.>es

Laura Fuster Lopez, PhD
Dept. Conservacion y Restauracion de Bienes Culturales
Universidad Politecnica de Valencia
Camino de Vera s/n
46022 Valencia (Spain)
+34 963 877 310 ext. 73106


                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:1
                  Distributed: Thursday, May 24, 2012
                        Message Id: cdl-26-1-010
                                  ***