User:Bchamberlain95

Core Aspects of Conservation

About Me

I work for AIG Private Client group and we are well known for insuring many of the finest private collections of fine and decorative art, collectibles, antiques and much more. As Director of Art Collection Management my function is to provide risk management and loss prevention services and resources for these collections. Much of our cultural heritage is in private hands and I always recommend long term conservation planning to our insureds as an essential component of collections care. I also work with conservators when disaster strikes (e.g., Hurricane Sandy) and there are claims for damage and loss of objects. Conservation is both a science and an art and I am often amazed at how objects that appear to be ruined can be saved by conservation and how good conservation practices can extend the life of even the most fragile objects.

Week 0: Test article

Why Light Matters

According to the Institute of Museum and Library Services' (IMLS) Heritage Health Index (HHI) survey of the state of collections across the U.S., the most urgent preservation need is environmental control. More Specifically, "All kinds of light, especially ultraviolet rays from natural and artificial sources, can cause fading and disintegration."^[1] Further, the survey found 59% of institutions have had their collections damaged by light.^[1]^[2]

Buck et al describe light as "radiant energy that permanently damages light-sensitive materials by catalyzing degrading reactions" and that the type of light and duration of exposure will determine the amount of damage an object sustains.^[3] "The quantity, or level of illumination (number of foot-candles, or lux), as well as the quality of light, or type of wavelength (ultraviolet to infrared, measured in nm), must be considered.^[4] "All objects should be vigorously protected from over-exposure to light."^[3]

One solution to this problem is to have conservators determine safe light levels for objects on display.^[5] It is also important that careful attention be given to light sources and light levels in storage areas.^[4]^[6] Registrars and collections managers can use a light meter to measure light levels and to help ensure any light exposure for the object in their care remains within acceptable thresholds.^[3]

References

^ ^a ^b Heritage Preservation & Institute of Museum and Library Services, A Public Trust at Risk: The Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America's Collections, http://www.heritagepreservation.org/hhi/summary.html
^ Institute of Museum and Library Services, 2010. Connecting to Collections: A Report to the Nation, http://www.imls.gov/collections
^ ^a ^b ^c Rebecca A. Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore (Eds), 2010. Museum Registration Methods 5th Edition (MRM5). Washington, DC: American Association of Museums
^ ^a ^b Bachmann, Konstanze, 1992. Conservation concerns. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books
^ Fahy, Anne, 1995. Collections Management. New York: Routledge
^ Knell, Simon, 1994. Care of Collections. New York: Routledge

[HHI-1] Heritage Preservation & Institute of Museum and Library Services, A Public Trust at Risk: The Heritage Health Index Report on the State of America's Collections, http://www.heritagepreservation.org/hhi/summary.html

[IMLS-2] Institute of Museum and Library Services, 2010. Connecting to Collections: A Report to the Nation, http://www.imls.gov/collections

[Buck-3] Rebecca A. Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore (Eds), 2010. Museum Registration Methods 5th Edition (MRM5). Washington, DC: American Association of Museums

[Bachmann-4] Bachmann, Konstanze, 1992. Conservation concerns. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books

[5] Fahy, Anne, 1995. Collections Management. New York: Routledge

[6] Knell, Simon, 1994. Care of Collections. New York: Routledge

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