Questionnaire on surface finishing and architectural decoration

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I am an MA student, currently in the final year of the conservation
of mural painting and architectural decoration course at Art
University of Isfahan (Iran). I am running a questionnaire for my
thesis.  I would like to thank you in advance taking time to answer
these questions.  If you can, please suggest links to videos,
photos, projects or writing that I can use for my thesis
advancement. If you can offer additional thoughts on the topic; I
would be most grateful.

Please send a copy of the questionnaire with your answer to

    Farshad Moazeni
    farshad_iwb<-at->yahoo<.>com

The surface finishing and architectural decoration in most of the
vernacular buildings in Iran, particularly interior coats, has been
accomplished with gypsum mortar.  Time and the existence of a
variety of deleterious factors has created damage and lacunae
occurring in parts of surfaces.  Decision-making about an
appropriate approach for the restoration and or rate of interference
in reintegration of deficiencies is a matter that is always had been
subject of discussion and so far, the systematic approach has not
been taken for refilling these lacunae.

The objective of this research is to offer suggestions about styles
of constructing plaster and methods of providing a suitable
substrate for painting in cases that need colored reintegration.

Today, refilling large lacunae (larger than approximately 100 cm2)
with textured plaster surfaces filled slightly below the level of
the original surface, is common.

In cases where colored reintegration is possible, it has been done
on this textured surface, with a few areas of brighter tonality.
Repairing lacunae smaller than approximately 100 cm2 is done with
the surface texture loosed and level with the original painting
surface.

Reintegration is done on the same surface, with a few areas of
brighter tonality, as mentioned before.

The questions on this questionnaire are in the field of lacunae that
lose part continue in deeper layer than color and intonaco layers.

Theoretical part:

    1.  Is there any special classification or typology of lacunae
        in plasters and architectural decoration useful in providing
        a system for restoration?

            Yes
            No

    1.1 Should restoring lacunae in all kind of plasters and
        architectural decoration follow a unisonous pattern?

            Yes
            No
            It is better follow a unisonous pattern, but it is not
            necessary

    1.2 Should restoration methods for various types of lacunae be
        different with respect to each type?

            Yes
            No

    2.1 Does the texture of the original surface plaster or
        decoration affect your choice of suitable texture for the
        fill?

            Yes
            No

    2.2 What is your idea about surface texture for the restored
        area?

            The repaired part must be rougher than original part

            The repaired part must be softer than original part

            The texture of repaired part must be the same as the
            original part

    2.3 Is the quantity of area for lacuna effective in choice of
        suitable texture for lacuna reconstruction?

            Yes
            No

    2.4 Is it possible to do color reintegration on repaired lacunae
        with textured surfaces?

            Yes
            No

    2.5 What is the importance of texture consideration in
        reconstruction of surfaces?

            Distinguishing between repair surfaces and original
            surfaces

            Reduction in brilliance of repaired part compared to
            original painting background

            Coordinating texture between original surfaces and
            repaired surfaces

    3.  Is it necessary to create difference in level between the
        surface of the repaired part and the original part?

            Yes
            No
            It is related to the kind of lacuna

Technical part:

    1.  What do you use to fill the lacunae in plasters and gypsum
        decoration?  (For example, mortar or resins containing
        fillers)

    2.  If you prefer to use mortar to fill lacuna in plaster and
        decorations, what kind of material is used? (For example,
        plaster mortar or different kind of mortar with original
        one)

    3.  If you must use mortar to fill lacuna in plasters and
        decoration, do you prefer to use any additive for mortar?
        (For example, pigment and or consolidation).

    4.  What are the specifications of these additives?

    5.  If you prefer to use resins to fill lacuna in these
        decorations, what kind of resin and filler do you suggest?

Please expand if you have more to say about the topic.


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:30
                 Distributed: Monday, December 17, 2012
                       Message Id: cdl-26-30-022
                                  ***