National Newsletter
Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (Inc.) ISSN 1834-0598 No 121 May 2012 Hot topics in Contents 2 Australian Heritage the tropics: Strategy 3 2012 AICCM Paintings Group Symposium APTCCARN 4 The Australian Historic Shipwreck Preservation Project Meeting 6 APTCCARN reviews Institutional News 8 WA Bangkok 8 NSW 12 SA 13 VIC 14 ACT 17 Technical Note 18 Trawling the Internet 19 Special Interest Group News
Looking at wall paintings, Wat Suwan Naram, Bangkok
Work on the wreck of the Painting Symposium NGA: Treatment of a Clarence announced Hawaiian cape Australian Heritage Strategy
Australian Heritage Strategy
In April the Department of As background for discussion the which is moveable cultural heritage. Sustainability, Environment, Water, department presents two essays The tenor of this definition is clear Population and Communities issued entitled “What is heritage?” by Peter throughout the document - discussion is a Public Consultation Paper entitled Spearitt, Professor History, University almost exclusively related to intangible “Australian Heritage Strategy”. of Queensland and Susan Tonkin, heritage, natural heritage and built Previously at National Museum heritage. The paper can be accessed at: of Australia and other collecting http://www.environment.gov.au/ The AICCM Blue Sky Group, chaired institutions. These are also accessible heritage/strategy/submissions. by MaryJo Lelyveld is collecting through the above link. html#paper comments from members to feed into The paper defines heritage as: “Heritage an AICCM response to the document. The paper is described as a “thought includes stories, traditions, languages, Forward any comments to MaryJo at starter” for submissions, it states events and experiences inherited from [email protected] that the Australian Government is the past; it comprises both natural “seeking public input to help develop Members may also consider an and cultural places with tangible and a new strategy for the identification, individual response – which can be intangible values.” management and celebration of made through the link above. Australia’s heritage.” This is a worthy definition but misses an important category of heritage, the Ian Batterham, Newsletter Editor one the AICCM is concerned with,
2 AICCM National Newsletter 2012 AICCM Paintings Group Symposium
Announcement and Call for Papers: 2012 AICCM Paintings Group Symposium
‘The Meaning of Materials in Modern and Contemporary Art’: 2012 AICCM Paintings Group + 20th Century in Paint Symposium
See: http://www.20thcpaint.org/event-2012AICCM.jsp Abstract submissions due: Friday 11 May 2012 Where: Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane When: 10-11 December 2012 In 2012, the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Materials (AICCM) Paintings Special Interest Group symposium will be combined with the final year symposium for The Twentieth Century in Paint Australia Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project. The event coincides with the opening of the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art’s seventh Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art on 8 December and its weekend of opening events from 8-9 December. With a focus on the Asia Pacific’s diverse climate and history, the symposium aims to explore questions around artists’ intentions towards the materials they use. For example, how aspects of material choice are framed by availability, geography, culture and artistic intent; how tropical climates affect contemporary art materials and the way they age; and how this develops relationships between artists, collectors and those involved in the care of artworks. The symposium will focus on painters, but will include discussion of other media.
Symposium Themes:
• Artists’ intent toward their materials • The impact of Asia Pacific culture and geography on artists’ material choices • The effect of tropical climates on materials
• The conservation implications of material choices Items from Sidney Nolan Wahroonga studio Artists' Materials Archive, Conservation Department, Invitations are now open to submit abstract proposals for papers to be Art Gallery of New South Wales presented at the symposium. Gift of Jinx Nolan 2006 Photograph: © AGNSW All intending presenters are required to: • Download and complete a proposal form from the meeting website at http://www.20thcpaint.org/data/2012AICCM_Abstract_Proposal.doc • Submit a completed abstract proposal by Friday 11 May 2012 via email to Anne Carter [email protected] Symposium proceedings will be published as post prints and accepted authors will be required to submit full papers for peer review and publication by 21 December 2012. For further information on the event and key dates, visit http://www.20thcpaint.org/event-2012AICCM.jsp or contact Anne Carter, Conservator, Paintings, Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, email [email protected]
No 121 May 2012 3 The Australian Historic Shipwreck Preservation Project
The Australian Historic Shipwreck Preservation Project
Dear Newsletter redox potentials, pH, dissolved oxygen, and Andy Viduka from DEWHA in sulphide levels etc. to see how it varies Canberra. The project is funded to This message is being written to you across the profile of the site. This work more than half a million dollars and on a cold night in Portarlington where is funded to be done over a period of aims to develop new methods for rapid Vicki Richards and I are working on the three years and involves a team of up recording in 3D the artefacts and then wreck of the 1850s schooner Clarence as to 35 workers at any one time. People rather than having them conserved the part of an ARC Cooperative Research are called and drawn in from Heritage majority of them will undergo a series Grant working on reburial programs for Victoria, University of WA where of reburial options as part of a new way historic shipwrecks. Vicki is in Victoria Professor Peter Veth heads the team to manage the underwater heritage of for the full four weeks of the program with Vicki and Ian Macleod as Principal our nation. For more details go to the and I am here for two weeks and so Investigators from the WA Museum, project website at: www.ahspp.org.au. after some time setting up the lines along with Peter Harvey, head of the of the wreck we are now ready to take Cheers Maritime Heritage Unit in Heritage specific core samples of the sediments Victoria, and Associate Professor Mark before the site is disturbed and then Ian MacLeod Staniforth from Monash University probe the profiles with measurements on
Vicki Richards in the Clarence Barge Jen Rodrigues giving debrief the Clarence project The Clarence jackup Barge Conservation Laboratory
Vale, Collections Council of Australia website
This note is to let everyone know that if you are looking for resources published by the former Collections Council of Australia, its website has now expired. The CCA was an advocacy body for archives, libraries, museums and galleries, and served the Australian collections sector from 2005 to 2010. The website hosting was pre-paid through to April 2012, but that has now run out. So: vale, CCA website. The good news is that the site has been archived through Pandora. Go to http://pandora.nla.gov.au/tep/56747 to access that location. If a navigational link in the archived CCA site doesn’t work, please try using the Site Map (in the footer of the CCA pages) to locate the pages you are seeking. One project has a new home but the automatic forwarding that was set up two years ago hasn’t been retained via the archived CCA site. If you are looking for the Collections Law publication by Shane Simpson, please go to http://www.collectionslaw.com.au/.
4 AICCM National Newsletter Advertisement:
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No 121 May 2012 5 APTCCARN reviews
The Conservation of Material Culture in Tropical Climates: the 3rd APTCCARN Meeting in 2012
Editor’s note: we received three http://www.20thcpaint.org/event- excellent reviews of this meeting. For 3dAPTCCARN.jsp). There were space reasons we are only able to print wide-ranging and regionally relevant two of these by Dr Nicole Tse and topics covered by the papers on artist’s Sabine Cotte. materials and materiality, conservation practice and communicating new projects and knowledge building, conservation. Some of the themes but unless these are part of a sustainable, Dr Nicole Tse explored included the properties well-planned model embedded in the and formulation of materials and community needs, then they are in vain. their degradation pathways; the As part of the Meeting, there were APTCCARN Member and ARC contemporary use of traditional also site visits to MOCA (Museum of materials; the materials and techniques Post Doctorate Fellow Contemporary Art) and Wat Suwan of manuscripts, organic materials, CCMC, University of Melbourne Naram which showcased the state of traditional and modern paintings; and Recently the 3rd APTCCARN Meeting heritage preservation in Thailand. the diagnostic and practical tools for on the ‘Conservation of Material Having worked in Thailand since 1999, their conservation. We were privileged Culture in Tropical Climates’ was there is a rapid growth in museum to have Dr Pisit Charoenwongsa, hosted by Silpakorn University in developments, particularly in the the previous Director of SEAEMEO Thailand from 23 to 25 April. As a private sector, and the newly opened SPAFA, deliver his wise and insightful targeted forum for the dissemination MOCA was quite remarkable. The visit keynote speech. He reflected on the and discussion of regionally relevant to Wat Suwan Naram was also insightful role of conservation in society, how preservation solutions for the Southeast as Mr Somsak Tangpan who is an expert it has evolved in Southeast Asia, the Asia’s vast cultural record, the meeting on the conservation of Thai murals, need to consider the economic life of brought together sixty heritage provided a guided tour of the site and the conserved object and to incorporate professionals from Cambodia, Indonesia, discussed their materiality and the sustainability into conservation models. Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, practice of conservation in Thailand. He also highlighted that ‘protective Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, measures’ have a long history in Australia, and the US. The location in For those of you not familiar with Southeast Asia, which are not only the peaceful surroundings of Silpakorn APTCCARN (Asia Pacific Twentieth linked to post production but to the University in Nakhon Pathom, the Century Conservation Art Research methods of production and material ASEAN style conference room, the Network, http://cultural-conservation. selection. And to close the event, there warmth or rather heat at 40oC, and unimelb.edu.au/aptccarn/), it was was a panel led by Dr Rujaya Abhakorn, the engagement of participants, were first inaugurated in 2009 at the the newly appointed Director of all conducive to the sharing and peer National Visual Arts Gallery of SEAMEO SPAFA, Dr Ana Labrador, to peer learning from one another. Malaysia in recognition of the growing Assistant Director from the National Everyone joined the meeting with Museum of the Philippines, Assoc. important experiences drawn from Prof. Supanee Chayabutra, Director, collections produced, housed and Materials Research Centre for Art conserved in tropical Southeast Asia and Design at Silpakorn University and the meeting provided the forum to and Assoc. Prof. Robyn Sloggett, explore these and realise the collective Director, CCMC. This group of experts expertise that exists in the region. offered some strategic insights for Over three days, twenty three APTCCARN’s future plans to ensure papers were presented and these they fit into a regionally relevant model. will be published by the end of From the meeting it was clear that there the year in a peer reviewed book is a lot of expertise in the region and Participants at the 3rd APTCCARN Meeting (see for the program of speakers at good will to enable the development of
6 AICCM National Newsletter APTCCARN reviews
professionalism of the heritage banners advertising the conference, we conservation related to their creative conservation industry in the region happily discovered that the organisers practice. We also discovered techniques and the need for peer to peer sharing had prepared many gifts for the such as the Vietnamese lacquer of information as well as the collective participants, such as tee shirts, bags, paintings or the integration of twentieth building up of information. The aim umbrellas and mini bags for nametags century materials such as plastic or PVA was and still is to build ‘conservations’ (very useful later for carrying passports into traditional techniques of basketry presence in the region and to publish and boarding passes), all printed at their or painting, and the impact of these research papers related to the culture, own Arts Centre. The organization material choices on the significance and needs, resources, geographical location, was impeccable, with many students durability of the artistic production. and materiality of Southeast Asia’s volunteering their time to help Sites visits to the Art Centre and to cultural record. Many who have worked everyone find their way, have their tea Bangkok created more opportunities with such collections, are fully aware of or their lunch. for personal contacts and friendships, the few publications in this area and we The participants came from Asian together with the daily delicious Thai hope APTCCARN can fill part of this countries such as Thailand, Taiwan, lunches. Showcasing the experiences gap. Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore or and the specific context of the South The APTCCARN Organising Laos, as well as Australia, UK and USA. East Asian area, the meeting certainly Committee would really like to thank Topics varied from studies of artists’ proved the variety of expertise, practice the artists who participated in the panel materials and conservation materials and researches in the region, the discussion (Apichai Piromrak, Vichaya in tropical climates to the study and dynamism of this emerging network Mukdamanee and Somsak Tangpan), conservation of living traditions in and its ongoing potential to develop to the local Organising Committee from Malaysia or Papua New Guinea, case benefit many other Asian countries. the Faculty of Science at Silpakorn studies and conservation advocacy/ University, Silpakorn University for communication. hosting the event, our moderator Assoc. The talks gave an overview of the Prof. Thanit Pewnim and especially Dr various practices and backgrounds in Klangpol Kamolchote, and of course all conservation in the region, from private the speakers and participants. We did initiatives to government institutions, have a lot of fun. and of the breadth of research in all fields of conservation. Scientific and empirical research were illustrated, as Sabine Cotte well as a wide range of perspectives on conservation, from the new state of the The Asia Pacific twentieth Century art Queen Sirikit Textile Museum or Research network had its third the research into virtual cleaning at the meeting in hot and steamy Bangkok, University of Philippines to the simple at the Silpakorn University Nakhon approaches to prevention and education Pathom campus, where the Faculty’s in Bhutan and Laos. Arts Centre and Material Research Centre for Arts and Design is located. The panel discussions included a very Upon arrival at the conference venue, interesting session where contemporary along a road flanked by home printed artists gave their perspective on
A visit to Assoc. Prof. Supanee Chayabutra’s Looking at wall paintings, Wat Suwan Naram, Visit to the Arts Centre, looking at the printing Materials Research Centre for Art and Design, Bangkok catalogue Silpakorn University
No 121 May 2012 7 Institutional News – WA and NSW
Institutional News
the surrounding environment and mine to Melbourne. It is sad to say goodbye to Western Australia sites. Dwyer arrived in Kalgoorlie in Perth and all the personal and business 1896 and found enough gold to set up contacts I made there, especially as there a studio. He was in demand by mining seems to be such a demand for private Western Australian Museum companies to record their progress conservation of all specialisations in including the arrival of new machinery Western Australia with few people Richard Garcia and Ulli Broeze- and VIP visits. in situ to meet the demand. For now, Hoernemann spent a week at the WA though, I am greatly enjoying the Vicki Richards and Kalle Kasi are Museum Kalgoorlie-Boulder Branch to lovely collection and people and new currently working as members of a team restore two chandeliers to their former experiences that I am encountering at of specialists on the excavation, reburial glory. The chandeliers belonged to the the Melbourne Museum. and in-situ preservation of the Clarence, historic De Bernales room which is an early Australian wooden coastal part of the museum. It is named after trader. The Clarence was wrecked in Claude de Bernales, who migrated to 1850 close to St Leonards in Port Phillip New South Wales the Western Australian Goldfields from Bay. This project is expected to run for London in 1897, was a flamboyant three years. mining entrepreneur and he was known as the man with the Midas touch. The Department of Materials Art Gallery of NSW Conservation hosted Ângela Pires and The chandeliers had been left The focus for the Paintings and Frames Rosário Cabeças, two curators from untouched for more than 20 years departments is the preparation of works the East Timor Department of Culture and had gathered the red Goldfield for display in the Australian galleries to gain some work experience. Ângela dust typical for the area. It also still rehang in mid May. Michelle Wassall and Rosário came in connection with had the old wiring which had become has been cleaning several paintings the exhibition Debt of Honour, currently dangerous. that have not been on display for a on display in the WA Museum. The long time and Margaret Sawicki has They were disconnected from the main problem for Timorese cultural been working on the frames for both ceiling and suspended in cradles based collections is the high humidity and the Australian paintings and those on a design as seen in the TV series associated problems. from the International collection. Downton Abbey. David Butler is working on new frames Each of the glass components had to Corkill Conservation for Philips Fox and Sydney Long. be cleaned individually and some of Barbara Dabrowa is carrying out a the copper wires connecting them were Corkill Conservation is temporarily comprehensive restoration of the large replaced. closed while Felicity Corkill undertakes frame to the painting Flood in the Darling 1890 by C.W. Piguenit whilst Andrea Electricians rewired the chandeliers but a full-time contract at Museum Nottage carries out the cleaning of the retained the original light fittings and Victoria. The last few months have painting. Julia Sharp is undertaking low energy dimmable candle shaped been extremely busy while I completed the full conservation treatment of the globes are now used. various projects at the State Library of Western Australia (where I had been painting By Tranquil Waters, 1894 by Ulli Broeze-Hoernemann condition working on contract part-time) and Sydney Long. It has been marouflaged reported 60 large format scanned sadly said farewell to all the lovely to chip board and a heavy cradle added. images of the J J Dwyer collection of people there, finalised several large Stephanie Limoges is cleaning the photographs heading for display at jobs for a variety of private clients and frame of the latter painting to reveal the WA Museum Kalgoorlie-Boulder. packed up all my delicate lab materials mostly intact original gold leaf. Kristel They were all black and white prints and equipment to be put into storage, Smits continues the inpainting on the mainly of Kalgoorlie and its people, while preparing for an interstate move painting Esther, c.1869 by Jean Poraels.
8 AICCM National Newsletter Institutional News – NSW
Paula Dredge continues with her PhD. Tom Langlands had an interesting ‘Remembering Titanic – 100 Years’ Simon Ives is cleaning the painting opportunity to work with the artist exhibition. Treatment included un- Launceston and the river Tamar, c.1832 Jacky Redgate to replicate the original framing the watercolour painting and by John Glover. Simon is also involved artist’s hand made mounts for a series removing dust specks from the front in preparing paintings for display in the of 1980s photographs that were acidic surface of the paper. Old, torn and European galleries. Simon and Donna and water damaged. Melissa Harvey deteriorated dust barrier paper which Hinton recently presented papers at is preparing drawings acquired from was adhered to the back of the frame the 3rd Asia Pacific Twentieth Century the Dobell Drawing Prize for a tour in was manually removed. The very fragile, Conservation Art Research Network 2013 as well as all the de-framing and original float glass was carefully cleaned, conference ‘The Conservation of framing of paintings for all the new re- and corroded nails were removed and Material Culture in Tropical Climates’ hangs that are occurring. Paul Solly replaced with purpose-made metal held in Thailand. is working one day per week in paper brackets. The painting was returned to conservation preparing storage boxes the frame and was sealed at the back The focus for the Objects and Paper for artist’s books, sketchbooks and other using wide strips of Japanese tissue. departments is the preparation of new acquisitions. Lily Yang has been works for display in the International Nadia and Margaret Juraszek have carrying out conservation treatment and Contemporary galleries. Donna also started flattening, cleaning and of works of art on paper for the Asian and Kerry Head are preparing objects repairing a collection of 21 technical gallery rehang. This has included mould for display in these galleries, including drawings from the early 1940’s. The removal, relining and replacing old investigating the possibility of using drawings were executed by the owners paper mounts with paper lined silk. magnets to secure a steel sculpture of the W S Grice Motor Body Works, by Richard Serra. Ingrid Farago, our The conservation department is William Stanley Grice and Oliver regular volunteer, is helping Kerry with contributing material to new ipad Grice, at Summer Hill in Sydney. mounts for the upcoming Japanese applications, the Art Gallery web Vanessa Pitt has been working on the textile exhibition “Sekka”. Sandra and facebook pages and twitter, as preparation of a number of objects for Hodgen-Gauld is cleaning an early 20th the Art Gallery increasingly moves internal and travelling exhibitions C Mandalay-style buddha. to disseminate information about the including changeover items for the new collection and exhibitions through Frances Cumming has begun assisting Cyberworlds and Signal Box displays, these multiple media outlets. in paper conservation, along with her and Oopsatoreum which is scheduled other duties as Exhibitions and Loans to travel next year. Two particularly Conservator. Frances prepares works Powerhouse Museum problematic objects that she worked on paper and photographs for loan. on were a small 1957 transistor radio The Australian Symbolism exhibition which contained heavily corroded is upcoming whist the large and very Conservation Department batteries that had leached acid, causing successful Picasso exhibition has now The Harry Potter exhibition has been corrosion and residue build-up inside come down and Carolyn Murphy dismantled and left the museum, along the radio; and the metal cover of a returned the works on paper to Paris. with its special effects, howling and 1950s paper tape reader which had a Carolyn Murphy is currently Acting dramatic music. Silence now reigns in layer of deteriorating and highly acidic Head - Conservation and is also looking its place, but not for long as it will be polyurethane foam attached to the after new acquisitions and collections replaced by the The Chronicles of Narnia. inside causing issues both for the cover conservation projects for paper This exhibition uncovers surprising and the main body of the tape reader.’ conservation. Analiese Treacy had a similarities between our world and Frances Fitzpatrick and Rebecca Ellis new baby boy in April and is currently Narnia. Find out how we influence the have begun working on the Antarctic on maternity leave. During Analiese’s climate, see whether we really can talk collection. Many of the objects are to absence Sarah Bunn is looking after to animals, uncover the secrets of castle be recategorised and this has given us the preparation of works on paper and building, reveal the hidden meaning in the impetus to redocument and rehouse photographs required for exhibition heraldry and much more. this neglected collection. Frances is at the Gallery. Paper conservation is Nadia McDougall documented and also working on a collection of newly also very busy preparing art works for prepared a framed watercolour for acquired banners from the Womens display in the re-hang of the Australian loan to the Australian National Christian Temperance Union. galleries. Maritime Museum (ANMM) for their
No 121 May 2012 9 Institutional News – NSW
The preparation of quilts for display at He is still supervising the Ice Bird International Conservation the next World Aids Day in December project, with the assistance of volunteers Services is also being undertaken by Frances, will complete the conservation, Vanessa and Rebecca. The most documentation, and preparation for Indoor and outdoor objects that significant problem lies in identifying display of the yacht Ice Bird, which connect with the forthcoming a suitable space for working on these sailed to Antarctica by Dr David Lewis, centenary of the outbreak of World 3.5m x 3.5m objects. We have about a the first person to do so singled handed War 1 in 2014 have been front of hundred of these in the collection but Rebecca Main is continuing her work mind in the lead up to this year’s thankfully only need a dozen ready for on two large TAM collection projects. ANZAC Day commemorations. This display. One of the banners in particular The fictile ivory collection, the 19th year we have been cleaning and is problematic in that human ashes century plaster casts of ancient and conserving cenotaphs and war contained in a plastic bag have been medieval ivory carvings which are memorials in Portland, North Sydney, attached to the quilt. The stability of housed in original wood and glass Beecroft, Camden and Martin Place this will need to be checked and the museum showcases and the. Lawrence with Arek Werstak cleaning and ashes perhaps rehoused and reattached Hargrave engineering drawings which repairing stonework, Kat Edghill, to the original. are on a variety of different fragile papers Adam Godijn, Gail Hamilton and Sue Gatenby has been working on a were treated. Work involved cleaning, Eoin O’ Sullivan waxing bronze variety of museum objects which have condition reporting and occasional plaques, and Eleanor Sampaga been analysed using the FTIR and/or repairs. Michael Myers undertook the supervising contractors. Meanwhile Bruker XRF Tracer for example: Agate conservation photography on both Oliver Hull, Kat Edghill and Eoin snuff box (glass or agate?), ceremonial collections. Rebecca is also supervising O’ Sullivan have been conserving trowel (silver, silver plated or alloy), Amir Mogadam, an intern, who is honour boards for St Marks Darling silver headdress ( which tarnished experimenting with techniques to Point, and Skye Firth working rapidly after cleaning) and Bakelite readhere lifting/separating photographic on the church’s WW I flags. The recognition aircraft models (which had emulsions to glass plates furniture team also encountered deformation and breakage), clothing a first in their experience, namely Gosia Dudek has been busy preparing protective shields/sweat pads and a the dismantlement of the panelling objects for a changeover for the pair of snow boots worn by Dr David of an entire church chancel where Cyberworlds exhibition and also Lewis during his voyage to Antarctica termite activity had rendered the said preparing objects for the Oopsatoreum 1970-1972 (rubber?). The material panelling to be imminent of collapsing exhibition. Unfortunately this has been type identification was important to on an officiating minister. How it postponed until 2013. She has also assist in explaining each deterioration had survived upright for so long was condition checked and cleaned 120 problem and assists in the planning for clearly a result of divine intervention. objects displayed in the Signal Box in their future conservation. A number of Transport exhibition. internal Bruker XRF training sessions Also on site Adam Godijn and Matteo have been carried out and suitable Bronwen Griffin has been carrying Volonte spent a week in the delightful collection projects discussed. out maintenance on the Powerhouse village of Rylestone near Mudgee Museum’s playable keyboard revealing and conserving a fascinating Sue and Kate Chidlow have been instruments, with the help of specialist mural in the local pub. Almost as much adding the finishing touches to a piano and harpsichord tuners. Several time was spent being interviewed by the Disaster Management Flip Chart for use of these instruments were used in March local media and showing groups round internally and in regional museums? for the 5th Birthday Celebrations at such was the level of interest, partly Tim Morris participated in the annual the Powerhouse Discovery Centre, due to the funds for the conservation Maitland Steamfest this year. He the Museum’s off site store at Castle work being largely raised from the installed a display of vintage toys and Hill. Others, such as the Stuart Piano local community. Only half the work models, answering questions about the are demonstrated regularly within has been completed with the balance museum’s services as part of our regional the Museum. Bronwen is currently progressing as funds allow. At the other services program and gave a talk on arranging for work to be undertaken on end of the spectrum Adam, Matteo, ‘Looking after model collections’. the Fotoplayer, a 1918 player piano with Arek, Anna Diakowska Czarnota a special effects box, including 3 ranks and Claire Heasman spent some days of organ pipes. in the Sydney Opera House working
10 AICCM National Newsletter Institutional News – NSW on the iconic Five Bells painting by State Library of NSW Lang Ngo travelled to Canberra to help John Olsen in the northern foyer. install these items safely at the National Book conservator, Guy Caron, is Library of Australia. The exhibition will Skye Firth continues to expand our rehousing a collection of 103 drawings run from 13 April 2012 - 8 July 2012 Melbourne office working on objects by colonial artist Conrad Martens. Put and will travel to the State Library of for both Sydney and Melbourne clients, together in a set titled “Sketches in New South Wales later this year. including a series of large colours for the Australia” they depict New South Wales Dana Kahabka with Cecilia Harvey Australian Navy at HMAS Cerberus – mainly Sydney and its region – from and Kate Hughes have prepared 9 the period April 1835 to September watercolours from a series of 15 created Kate Papierniak, Wendi Powell and 1865. One drawing dated May 9th 1839 by the artist John Lewin (1770-1819) Michelle Stoddart continue to forge shows HMS Beagle in Sydney. Martens for the John Lewin: wild art exhibition. ahead with a large demand for paper joined Charles Darwin on the Beagle for The watercolours are a graphic record conservation work, ranging from major his second voyage. The treatment will of impressions of a historic crossing of cemetery maps to book collections, a the Blue Mountains, along the newly integrate, after repairs, the front and large fine art disaster recovery project opened road to the western plains of back remaining covers on a new Album and the staple diet for all paper NSW, led by Governor Macquarie style sewn onto guards in text block. conservation labs of Lionel Lindsays, in 1815. The initial emphasis for After construction of the album each Neville Cayleys and Lister Listers. treatment was focused on integration of drawing will be hinged on a full page. loss that was complicated by a historic Julian Bickersteth has been elected restoration treatment that had become President of the ICOMOS International distracting as the materials changed Polar Heritage Committee. He ran over time. An interesting decision- a successful IPHC conference in making process developed with the dual Hobart in March to coincide with the aim of addressing the issue of structural centenary of the announcement of the integration of material and image loss attainment of the South Pole by Roald while preserving the aesthetic intention Amundsen on the steps of Hobart GPO, of the artist. The outcome was guided by the principles of the AICCM Code of which was suitably re-enacted. It proved Practice, No 35, Integration of loss, and to be a useful get together of many of The Beagle in Sydney – Conrad Martens reinforced by the case for preservation the conservators who have worked on of intangible qualities of a historic the Mawsons Huts and Ross Island huts, document as set out in the writings of along with a range of international Cesare Brandi. A modification of the heritage practitioners. remoistenable tissue method, originally designed for repair of iron gall ink Given the increasing prevalence of damage, was used to apply a layer of mould in collections we deal with, pigment over the distracting historic Fiona Tennant led a process in March treatment with the added advantage it for ICS to work with a mould expert could be easily removed. to understand the OH&S risks and The conserved album establish appropriate treatment and In April Agata Rostek-Robak and handling protocols for mould effected On Monday 2 April, 19 items from the Cathryn Bartley travelled to Albury to de-install the touring exhibition The objects. This has achieved a much Library’s collection were delivered to Governor: Lachlan Macquarie, 1820 better awareness amongst us all of how the National Library as part of the Life of Patrick White exhibition. The Life of to 1821 at its final venue, the Albury to assess such and scale the risk, the Patrick White marks 100 years since the Library Museum. Originally shown appropriate PPE to wear based on the birth of Australia’s only Nobel Laureate at the SLNSW in 2010 to celebrate level of severity of mould out breaks in Literature. This National Library the bicentenary of the governorship of and the necessary processes required in of Australia exhibition in Canberra Lachlan Macquarie the exhibition has dealing with them. looks at White’s life through the places toured to Liverpool, Port Macquarie he lived. Collection Preservation and and Dubbo. The exhibition looked Storage staff prepared items such as a at exploration and expansion in the typewriter, writing desk and the Nobel colony during the Macquarie era and prize for literature for travel and display. featured extraordinary items from
No 121 May 2012 11 Institutional News – SA
the SLNSW collection including working on a delightful 1877 red Macquarie’s journals, travelling trunk, South Australia wedding dress bodice from the Reynell a portrait by John Opie and a selection family the founders of Reynella in of holey dollars and dumps. It also South Australia. In their spare time included additional items on loan from Artlab Australia, SA Textiles is assisting with the rehousing the Historic Houses Trust of NSW and of ethnographic objects and parasites the Powerhouse. John Dowie in is the recurrent theme belonging to the South Australian Cecilia Harvey, Agata Rostek- in the Projects lab, with treatment to Museum, keep that envy in check.... Robak, Nicole Ellis, Lang Ngo, Karen the bronze Dowie water feature of Pan Wilcox and Bronwen Glover have continuing in the lab, and work to a Preventive conservator Kasi Albert been working on preparing items for stone memorial to the Vickers Vimy is also assisting with transferring the long term loan in the Macquarie Bank flight crew by Dowie due to commence tiny parasites, as well as with repairing exhibition space. The exhibition is shortly thereafter. This and other some not so tiny Japanese ceramic comprised of 38 relics pertinent to scheduled works progress under the plates in the objects lab. Kasi and Anne Governer Macquarie and includes watchful scrutiny of Hercules, a larger- Dineen have also busy delivering even Macquarie’s chair, Mary Reiby’s than-life-size bronze, recently brought more disaster workshops as far afield as keystone, weapons, manacles, coins and inside for investigation and assessment. Goolwa and Naracoorte. They have Aboriginal breastplates. The exhibition also just returned from their third and will run for 12 months. Filipa Quintela has added a Portuguese final trip to Queensland as part of the flavour of management to the Objects Aileen Dean Raschilla, Bronwen major Queensland Museum disaster Glover and Karen Wilcox have been team as she takes the helm from Renita planning project, this time sweating it busy preparing material for Come Ryan whilst she is on maternity leave out in Townsville. Luckily the lovely in for a Swim: Mina Wylie, Coogee’s with baby Caspar. One of Artlab’s Museum of Tropical Queensland was own Olympic Champion, Stockholm more recent star employees, Katrina well air-conditioned! Anne recently Olympics 1912 an exhibition of 46 Kenny, has being boxing a substantial attended the one day State Library of items including swimming medals and collection of smoking pipes, a recent Queensland’s Disaster Preparedness pieces of ephemera to Bowen Library acquisition for the Migration Museum. seminar ‘If only we’d known’ and learnt in Randwick. Their work has involved The rest of the Objects department lots from those involved in the 2011 making display supports for material and has, as part of their ongoing storage disasters. safe transit boxes. The material includes improvement program, being making Mina’s Olympic silver medal as well as light weight boxes for numerous large The Paintings team have recently her correspondence to her family who Asian sculptures for the Art Gallery enjoyed having Canberra intern Haley were the owners of Wylies baths at of South Australia. The return of Munro join them for a four week period. Coogee. An interesting point to note is Amongst other things, she assisted that Mina and her gold medal winning the South Australian Museum’s loan them with the regilding lettering on team member Fanny Durack (the “Cameleers” is being unpacked and the Brighton Cement Memorial, a joint female swim team comprised just the the next SAM loan is now under two of them!) had to pay their own way preparation. activity with the Projects team. In the to Stockholm with chaperones, – whilst Paper lab, the regulars are very pleased In Textiles Kristin Philips is still the men’s team was fully funded! to welcome back Peter Mitchelson, this working on the WW1 Union Jack time for a much longer stay at Artlab. Silvana Volpato, co-ordinates a team of known as the Harefield Flag belonging Assistant conservators and Conservators to the Adelaide High School but in a weekly project that consists of the end is in sight, whether its checking the newspaper microfilms. A the flag’s or Kristin’s its not clear. random 10% of the microfilm collection The Coachbuilder’s Trade Union is checked to ensure compliance with Banner belonging to the Australian national standards. Films are checked Manufacturers Unions has arrived and for legibility and clarity, completeness the work begins. Mary-Anne Gooden and correct pagination. has abandoned the Titanic and is
12 AICCM National Newsletter Institutional News – VIC
of chemical treatments on coins with Museum Victoria Victoria her. Lauren’s expertise in ceramic treatments stemming from her research Felicity Corkill has joined the team and project also proved useful for Courtney is enjoying the beautiful artefacts chosen Heritage Victoria in her dealings with the hand painted for The Art of Science exhibition. earthenware urn. Currently, Lauren is This exhibition consists of around 70 The Conservation Centre welcomed performing a treatment on a nineteenth works on paper, illustrated books and the energy and enthusiasm of two century leather miner’s hat which is in modern micrographs featuring scientific early career conservators in 2012. a very degraded condition and also, a illustrations from the 17th century to Lauren Keating, a 2011 graduate of clock work mechanism. today. It will tour starting in December the MA University of Melbourne’s 2012 at the Mornington Peninsula Susie Collis is still kicking around the MA program joined us on a six month Regional Gallery. HV lab, mainly providing supervisory contract in early February 2012 and support to Lauren and interns like Sarah Babister is about to start Courtney Crane a final year student Courtney as well as to our other regular installation of Wallace and Gromit’s: of the University of Canberra course volunteers. Her main conservation World of Invention at Scienceworks and joined us for a three week internship tasks for 2012 will be to continue has recently been working on a large from late February. Courtney worked the treatments on maritime heritage changeover for the Melbourne Story on a number of artefacts during her artefacts that have been awaiting permanent exhibition at Melbourne three week internship including a salt further treatment in our ‘wet lab’. Museum. affected nineteenth century ceramic Susie also completed a record number plate, some ships fastenings suffering Elizabeth McCartney has just of treatments and loan documentation from bronze disease, and she also completed work on the installation of records in a short space of time for carried out a chemical treatment on The Wonders of Ancient Mesopotamia. a suite of fascinating nineteenth several coins from a highly significant This beautiful exhibition which features century artefacts that were loaned to terrestrial site. Courtney’s major objects from the collection of the British the Post Office Gallery in Bendigo for treatment project was focused on testing Museum is on display at Melbourne an exhibition entitled Hidden Worlds consolidation methods for fragments Museum until October 2012. Much of which is on display until late June, from a large, decorative, hand painted Elizabeth’s time on this exhibition has 2012. It must be mentioned that Susie nineteenth century earthenware urn. been in the preparation of adequately received a great deal of help on this Consolidation of the painted surface was conditioned showcases for the moisture project from Jeff Fox who volunteered considered as the pigments had become sensitive materials and in Oddy testing his time during the latter part of 2011 powdery and this needed to precede the locally available materials to meet the to learn the art of archaeological joining of the fragments; joining would British Museum standards. ceramic joining. Jeff, who comes require handling of the fragments which into conservation from a background Karina Palmer continues working would lead to the hastened loss of the in archaeology has now commenced with Facilities Management to review surface. We greatly enjoyed hosting the Cultural Materials Conservation and update the HVAC parameters for Courtney for her internship. training at the University of Melbourne collection stores in line with a seasonal Meanwhile, since commencing her and we wish him all the best for the drift approach. contract in February Lauren has worked next 2 years. Sam Hamilton continues work on the on many, many objects; starting with Finally, projects that we are jointly Bunjilaka Redevelopment. She recently the cleaning and stabilisation of a scale working on include the ongoing facilitated four community consultation model of Melbourne’s Old Treasury treatment of many hundreds of workshops with the Yulendj reference Building, which is composed of paper, fragments of waterlogged shoe leather group. The reference group is composed cardboard, plastic and wood. Lauren from Pentridge Prison; we are doing this of 14 elders from throughout the state then worked on a number of joining while we wait for our next large scale of Victoria and will visit the museum treatments of unusual jugs which came archaeological project to commence for three days each month to provide from a significant and early (1850s) which will be the excavations at the support, advice and content to the archaeological site in Bendigo. Lauren former Carlton & United Brewery Site. curatorial and design teams throughout also co-supervised Courtney during her Watch this space for updates about that the exhibition development and internship and performed a number project. documentation stages. The elders will
No 121 May 2012 13 Institutional News – ACT
also be consulted on conservation framing paintings for unDisclosed of the AV collection. Andrea Wise approaches and practices with respect indigenous art triennial. David Wise has been researching the treatment of to the preparation of objects for display. is utilising the new FTIR microscope holograms and has been selected to The sessions will be recorded and this to investigate varnishes with the new participate in the ICCROM workshop information will be loaded into MV’s FTIR microscope on paintings for on the ‘Conservation of Japanese Paper’ KEMu database as a future reference. the upcoming Abstract Expressionist in Tokyo in September. exhibition, which Kate Eccles-Smith Sam recently received a Copland has been contracted to assist with. Allan Foundation grant and has completed the Byrne has been working on colonial first stage in a community consultation paintings in the collection and Sheridan with elder Dr Joe Neparrnga Gumbulac Roberts is attending a workshop in May from the Yolgnu community in Arnhem on Renaissance painting at the British Land. This consultation focused on the Museum. treatment of two highly significant bark Lisa Addison and Jael Muspratt have paintings from the Donald Thomson been busy visiting official establishments Collection. The consultation was and regional galleries to assess and filmed; this has been taken back to assist in preventive measures for Milingimbi to discuss the treatment environmental issues. Lisa has also proposal with his family. Joe will be back commenced research into seasonal in September to continue this project. variation with NGA Building Services Andrew, Meg and Beata during the treatment of staff. the Hawaiian Cape
Micheline Ford, Jane Wild and ACT Hannah Barrett from the textile National Film and Sound section under took training with the Archive Shochiku theatre dressers in preparing recently acquired Japanese robes. National Gallery of Major treatments are underway on the The Preservation and Technical Australia Conservation Asian art collection especially for the Services Branch Department upcoming exhibition Divine Worlds: The Preservation and Technical Indian Paintings. Micheline has recently Services Branch (PATS) of the The Objects conservation section have returned from a courier trip to Japan and National Film and Sound Archive been treating items from the Pacific, visited colleagues and venues. Jane and (NFSA) maintains preserves and copies Melanesian and Asian Collections. Hannah submitted a poster and lecture archival motion picture film, audio, Andrew Pearce has had some at the recent ICON conference. video and still image material. PATS challenges with the treatment of Peter is comprised of Audio Services (AS), Tully’s Liberace Fountain and Megan Rose Peel has been undertaking major Motion Picture Laboratory (MPL), Absolon has been working on a Maori treatments for the upcoming up coming Video and Telecine Services (VATS), cape required for loan and testing Sidney Long exhibition. There have the Conservation, Preparation and consolidation methods on fragile PNG been a few staffing changes in Mount- Research Section (CPR) comprises objects. Beata Tworek-Matuszkiewicz cutting over the past few months with Audio Visual Conservation (AVCO), and the team have had an interesting Kassandra O’Hare on maternity leave project testing arsenic levels on a Paper Conservation and Still Image after the birth of her son in January, recently purchased Hawaiian feather Services (SISCO). however everyone was on deck for a cape. Sarah McHugh will be returning to work late May after the birth of her recent workshop with June Anderson In Audio Services, disc preservation son last year. on mounting and framing techniques. specialist Gerry O’Neill has been Apart from preparing works for several digitally preserving fragile black wax The Paintings conservation section NGA and travelling exhibitions cylinders. A particular cylinder Flanagan have been busy with the pack up of the James Ward and Bill Hamilton are by Florrie Forde was found to be split Renaissance Exhibition and installation undertaking research into treatments in half with a few fragments dislodged of the von Guerard exhibition. Sharon of Yao paintings and Fiona Kemp has from the main two parts. This cylinder Alcock and Greg Howard have been focusing on the treatment and been working towards the future storage was successfully repaired by re-attaching
14 AICCM National Newsletter Institutional News – ACT
the fragments and aligning the grooves, was identified in the collection [and advertisement slides collection that the cylinder then played smoothly and with Shingo Ishikawa’s assistance it was date back to the early 1920s. Darren the results digitally preserved. Viktor brought into Acton.] This has proven Weinert and Brooke Shannon in Fumic was faced with difficult and beneficial for early investigations into Still Image Services have successfully complex conservation and restoration this task. digitised the 1897 Melbourne Cup Flick work on a cassette titled Disabled People book – sixty-three pages in total, which In CPR, Mick Newnham presented in Profile (date unknown). The cassette were animated by the VATS section, a paper on disaster recovery of digital suffered from very heavy ‘wow and and we all enjoyed watching this rare audiovisual collections at the 16th flutter’ during playback, so much so that footage of the 1897 race. Conference and General Assembly of it jammed in the cassette player. The SEAPAVAA – the South East Asian cassette was re-housed with little to no and Pacific Audio Visual Archives improvement. It was then hand cleaned National Library of Association in Ho Chi Minh City and re-housed again in a modified (Vietnam). Australia cassette mechanism where most points of friction were removed. This yielded Audio Visual Conservation staff has Preservation Services, some improvement but not enough for been busy with Pre and post screen Conservation Department a smooth playback. Finally the cassette checks, packing and dispatch for Lunch machine was modified with small shims on the Grass (1959) for the National The preservation team at the National to raise the cassette in the machine Museum of Singapore, five features for Library of Australia has recently and reduce drag across the head block. Cinematheque Busan South Korea, had two new recruits arrive in the Playback was greatly improved however five features for the 42nd International laboratory, Robin Tait and Su-Yuan the tape needed to be stopped many Film Festival of India, Goa and Olympic Cheng. Robin has been welcomed as times to readjust the shims. All of the Games 1956 for Sporting Nation the new laboratory manager, and the audio was transferred to a good standard. Productions. team looks forward to learning from A great deal of editing was needed to Robin’s experience in book and paper Also in Audio Visual Conservation, produce a continuous program. conservation. Kerry Yates developed a research In the Motion Picture Laboratory project on the crystalline formation on Robin Tait recently attended the Ben Swadling has been duplicating [the] glass slides with help from Mick Bleaching Workshop hosted by the [a] 35mm negative footage of the 1897 Newnham and Shingo Ishikawa. As Art Gallery of New South Wales. VRC Darby on to an interpositive the slides deteriorate crystal growth Since returning from the workshop, motion picture film stock. This fragile is observed, forming from the edges Robin has initiated ongoing training footage required Ben to manually towards the centre of the slide. The and information sessions on the position each frame into the projector research is to identify the nature of various bleaching techniques that gate, check the alignment and then the crystals and to determine why the were used during the workshop for the photograph the frame. We have since formation follows this pattern and come preservation team. produced and duplicate negative and a up with possible treatment options. Su-Yuan Cheng is a conservation work print of this footage and everyone This research forms part of Kerry’s intern from Tainan University of the involved was pleased with the steadiness final year research project for Cultural Arts in Taiwan and will be with the and sharpness of the image that was Heritage Conservation Course at the preservation team for three months. Su- produced. University of Canberra. Yuan has already undertaken a range of In VATS, Craig Dingwall has been Meanwhile in the Document and paper and book conservation treatments involved in the early investigations Artefacts conservation section, Shingo and training in the lab. Su-Yuan will be into the transfer of Kodacolor lenticular Ishikawa has been busy with condition with the National Library until the end film via telecine. Contact was made reporting, treatment and re housing of of June. with a company in Los Angeles that recently acquired mechanical magic Susanne Wullen has recently finished was transferring Kodacolor film to lantern slides, while continuing to treating a collection of over 100 video via telecine. The company was work on cleaning, re housing in manuscripts ranging from AD1180 not at liberty to share their knowledge, preparation for the digitisation of our to the early nineteenth century. The unfortunately. A Kodacolor projector large collection of Theatre Feature collection is representative of a range
No 121 May 2012 15 Institutional News – ACT
of different calligraphy styles, and de la Compana de Jesus in Buenos many of the earliest items consist of Aires. While in Buenos Aires, Erika legal documents such as wills, charters participated in two workshops, one in and contracts. Susanne’s treatment simplified binding at Eduardo Tarrico’s approach consisted of dry cleaning, studio and the second workshop repairs using goldbeater’s skin and was Japanese binding practice at gelatin, and rehousing the items for the Papelera Palermo, with Dina storage. Susanne will also be attending Adamoli. During her last week she the “Identification of European papers” visited and met Sol Rebora, a private course in Horn, Austria, in early June. bookbinder. An account of Erika’s The preservation team at the Library time with bookbinders in Buenos Aires looks forward to hearing all about the can be found at http://blogs.nla.gov.au/ workshop once Susanne returns. behind-the-scenes/2012/04/18/paper- making-in-buenos-aires/ . Lisa Jeong-Reuss has been busy preparing items from the maps Erika has also been awarded the collection for the Canberra Centenary Kenneth Binns Travelling fellowship celebrations. This collection of maps offered to National Library employees includes Federal Capital Design for career development opportunities competition, Canberra Sales Plans, overseas. The fellowship will support Federal Capital Feature maps and Erika’s attendance at the European Federal Capital skeleton maps from bookbinding course in July this year. 1915 to 1950. These maps will be This course is offered at the London available online by the end of June. Rare Books summer school at the University of London. Erika’s colleagues Sara Freeman has been working on a look forward to welcoming Erika back collaborative project with the Pictures after her travels and to hear about her and Manuscripts section of the Library experiences at the London Rare Books to develop a cataloging system for summer school. frames that accompany new acquisitions accepted into the collection. Over the The preservation team has also recently years, these frames have been separated completed work on the National from their corresponding art works. Library’s latest exhibition, The Life Sara’s two month project has involved of Patrick White. Alexa McNaught- condition reporting, measuring and Reynolds coordinated the treatment photographing all of the frames in the and reporting of all the collection items. National Library’s collection. Sara’s Alexa and Dave Roberts assisted with work will contribute to the development the installation of the exhibition, which of a policy regarding the retention and has already proven to be a popular draw storage of frames of new acquisitions as card for many visitors to Canberra and they come into the collection in the to the National Library. The exhibition future. will be open until the 8th of July 2012. Erika Mordek has recently returned from Argentina where she visited the Laboratorio de conservacion Nicolas Yapuguay at the Fondo Antiguo
16 AICCM National Newsletter Technical Note
Technical Note
Work lights • On a stand and base (powder- coated) on castors. The Tasmanian Museum and Art • Adjustable in height – at the centre Gallery recently received two work of the light bank it ranges from lights. Initially we investigated 1325mm to 1800mm. luminaires made by Willards and CLE. Our budget didn’t stretch quite that far • Height adjustment counter balanced so we contacted Robin Hodgson of RH with gas struts (gas struts rather Conservation Engineering to see if he than counter weights to simplify the could help us. design and manufacture). We have a ‘homemade’ mobile light The cost of each light was $1,600 system, which serves its purpose well (inc GST). when working at an easel or wall though not at a table or when doing Since receipt the lights have been horizontal work. Photos of this were used in various treatment situations, sent to Robin along with a list of therefore making full use of the Front view requirements to see if he could come different orientations. They deliver all up with something based on the that we had asked for. Willard’s and CLE designs that each As with the design and trial of all new of us had worked happily with in other equipment modifications are required. cons labs. Some of the issues encountered are: Basically we wanted a mobile light • The light bank is quite low in source: height when used in the horizontal • To provide good working light for orientation, e.g. for working on a various conservation treatments. flat object on a table – so one needs to be conscious of not bumping • That is easy to move around, one’s head. including from room to room / gallery-to-gallery. • The base has a wide spread and is therefore a potential trip hazard. • That can be used in vertical or horizontal position, or anywhere The lights are a great addition to our between. conservation equipment making work on detailed and colour-matching • With variable elevation. jobs much easier. Equally, in gallery Rear view situations they will be a great help • At reasonable cost. with condition checking and work that Robin took all this on board, made needs to be done outside the lab. his own investigations, involved us in We encourage anyone who is looking discussions throughout the process and at purchasing new lights to talk with came up with the following prototype: Robin and use these excellent skills • A bank of 4 tube fluorescent and resources. lights (supplied with standard tri-phosphour daylight tubes) on a Erica Burgess gimballed frame to permit rotation Conservator Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery of the light bank as well as tilting.
No 121 May 2012 17 Trawling the Internet
Trawling the Internet
Welcome to a new section of the Newsletter where we let you know about useful, interesting or provocative sites on the Internet. This time we have a number of sites to let you know about: 1. The Key to Griffin’s Canberra: Conservation of a lost national treasure (http://blog.naa.gov.au/preservation/) A Blog following work being done by NAA conservator Cheryl Jackson on a newly discovered Walter Burley Griffin ferrogallic print. 2. Artwatch UK (http://artwatchuk.wordpress.com/) ArtWatch UK campaigns to protect the integrity of works of art and architecture from injurious physical treatments and hazardous, exploitative or demeaning actions. 3. e-conservation (http://www.e-conservationline.com/) A free online conservation magazine. Papers are reviewed by members of a professional editorial board. The latest issue includes articles on Boxes for books; Lining, Relining and the Concept of Univocity; Salt Damage on the Wall Reliefs of Dendera Temple, Egypt; and Security of Cultural Property. 4. Art Conservation Research (http://conservationresearch.blogspot.com.au/) A blog run by Lui Bordalo covering resources related to conservation and restoration research found on the internet. 5. Journal of Conservation & Museum Studies (http://www.jcms-journal.com/index) A peer reviewed open access online journal. Published from the Institute of Archaeology in collaboration with the British Library. Popular articles include: “We Will Remember Them”: Memory and Commemoration in War Museums; Art for Whose Sake? Modern Art Museums Transforming Societies: The Case of Guggenheim Bilbao; Calcium Oxalate: A Surface Treatment for Limestone; Decision From Indecision: Conservation of Thangka Significance, Perspectives and Approaches & The Factors Affecting Women’s Success in Museum Careers This is a regular newsletter segment. If anybody knows of sites that may be interesting to the membership please let us know.
18 AICCM National Newsletter Special Interest Group News
Special Interest Group News
Objects Special Interest Group
With much assistance from Katharine Untch, National Council and Vanessa Wiggin I’m in the midst of planning the Conservation of Outdoor Sculpture and Monuments workshop to be held 13-16 November 2012. In addition to the 4 day workshop we are also going to be holding a 2 day workshop on 8-9 November; details will be announced shortly. Thanks to those AICCM members who have expressed an interest in attending this course; I feel certain Katharine will make this a dynamic and exciting development opportunity for us all. Though I do feel preoccupied with this workshop I am starting to consider what opportunities we should offer in the future. I would really appreciate hearing your ideas; please contact me directly via email [email protected] or on telephone 03 8341 7235.
Helen Privett, Convenor
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No 121 May 2012 19 List of SIG Convenors
As all SIG convenor positions are open for election every two years, over The SIG convenors listed here are the past 6 months there has been numerous elections and nominations congratulated on their commitment with the following results. to the ongoing activity of their SIG Contact Election group. As a member of several SIGs I look forward to all the upcoming Antarctic Heritage Julian Bickersteth SIG cancelled 2011 events in 2012 and encourage all Book & Paper Kim Barrett Elected 2010 forms of activity that will enrich our Conservation Framers June Andersen Election 2011 membership of AICCM. Conservation Science Deborah Lau Re –Elected 2011 It was decided this year that 3 SIGs Education Eric Archer SIG Cancelled (Antarctic Heritage, Education, Exhibitions Catherine Earley Re -Elected 2011 Private Practice) were to be Gilded Objects MaryJo Lelyveld Re -Elected 2011 dissolved due to various reasons. Objects Helen Privett Re -Elected 2011 A new SIG has also been formed Paintings Andrew Durham Elected 2011 by Peter Shaw regarding the Digital Photon Stephanie Bailey Elected 2011 & Audio-Visual Heritage. Please Preventive Cons. Sarah-Jane Rennie Elected 2011 contact Peter to be a part of this Private Practice Kay Soderlund SIG cancelled 2011 SIG. Textiles Jessie Firth Re- elected 2011 Tegan Anthes Digital & Audio-visual Heritage Peter Shaw Established 2011 SIG Coordinator
AICCM National Council Executive and Officer Contacts 2011-2012
National President Kay Söderlund Tel: 02 9557 2395 Fax: 02 9557 2390 [email protected] Vice-President Vicki Humphrey Tel: 02 6208 5036 [email protected] National Secretary Rachel Spano Tel: 07 3842 9060 [email protected] National Treasurer Robin Hodgson Tel: 03 5989 1199 Fax: 03 5989 1144 [email protected] Membership Services Officer Fiona Tennant Tel: 02 9417 3311 Fax: 02 9417 3102 [email protected] Publications Officer Cobus van Breda Tel: 03 6211 4164 [email protected] AICCM Secretariat Michelle Berry Tel: 02 6100 8618 [email protected] Professional Membership Officer Cushla Hill Tel: 03 9348 5700 [email protected] Public Officer Ian Batterham Tel: 02 6212 3424 Fax: 02 6212 3469 [email protected] Web Editor Carole Best [email protected] Bulletin Editor Marcelle Scott Tel: 03 8344 0091 [email protected] Newsletter Editor Ian Batterham Tel: 02 6212 3424 Fax: 02 6212 3469 [email protected] SIG Convenor Tegan Anthes Tel: 02 9557 2395 Fax: 02 9557 2390 [email protected]
AICCM National State Presidents 2011-2012
ACT President Ian Batterham Tel: 02 6212 3424 Fax: 02 6212 3469 [email protected] NSW President Adam Godijn Tel: 02 9417 3311 [email protected] QLD President Anne Carter [email protected] SA/NT President Kasi Albert [email protected] Tas President Michelle Berry Tel: 02 6100 8618 [email protected] Vic President Davina Hacklin [email protected] WA President Natalie Hewlett [email protected]