University of Pennsylvania ScholarlyCommons Theses (Historic Preservation) Graduate Program in Historic Preservation 1-1-2007 Grandma Brisbrey's Bottle Village: A Values Based Conditions Assessment of an American Folk Art Environment Teresa Suzanne Duff University of Pennsylvania Follow this and additional works at: https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses Part of the Historic Preservation and Conservation Commons Duff, Teresa Suzanne, "Grandma Brisbrey's Bottle Village: A Values Based Conditions Assessment of an American Folk Art Environment" (2007). Theses (Historic Preservation). 73. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/73 A Thesis in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2007. Advisor: Koenraad van Balen This paper is posted at ScholarlyCommons. https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/73 For more information, please contact [email protected]. Grandma Brisbrey's Bottle Village: A Values Based Conditions Assessment of an American Folk Art Environment Disciplines Historic Preservation and Conservation Comments A Thesis in Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Historic Preservation 2007. Advisor: Koenraad van Balen This thesis or dissertation is available at ScholarlyCommons: https://repository.upenn.edu/hp_theses/73 GRANDMA PRISBREY’S BOTTLE VILLAGE: A VALUES BASED CONDITIONS ASSESSMENT OF AN AMERICAN FOLK ART ENVIRONMENT Teresa Suzanne Duff A Thesis In Historic Preservation Presented to the Faculties of the University of Pennsylvania in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements of the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE IN HISTORIC PRESERVATION 2007 ______________________________ ______________________________ Advisor Reader Prof. dr. ir. arch. Koenraad VAN BALEN David P. Wessel, AIC Professor of Civil Engineering and Conservation Principal Conservator K.U.Leuven (B) Architectural Resources Group ______________________________ Program Chair Frank Matero Professor of Architecture Tressa “Grandma” Prisbrey, ca. 1974 Bottle Village Simi Valley, California “Nothing contributes so much to tranquilize the mind as a steady purpose – a point on which the soul may fix its intellectual eye.” -Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley ii Bottle Village Acknowledgments I would like to thank my advisor, Prof. Koenraad Van Balen, who lent his expertise, time and support throughout my research and writing. His insight provided an invaluable contribution toward the compilation of this thesis from which I have learned tremendously and will carry forward in future endeavors. I would like to extend my gratitude and thanks to Mr. David Wessel who took on readership of this thesis. His knowledge and experience with the conservation issues of folk art environments was a vital contribution to the development and quality of my research. I would like very much to thank Prof. Frank Matero who enthusiastically supported Bottle Village as my thesis topic, and continuously kept his door open to me for countless discussions, questions and advice. I am extremely grateful to Mr. Rand Eppich for his contribution of expertise in documentation and data processing. His generosity, along with the Getty Conservation Institute, made it possible to pursue documentation methods that would have otherwise been beyond my skill level and funding capabilities. It is with indebtedness and appreciation that I extend my gratitude to the Preserve Bottle Village Committee and Mr. Daniel Paul for allowing me to frequent this exquisite site in pursuit of my academic objectives. It is my desire that this thesis make a positive contribution to Grandma Prisbrey’s Bottle Village. There are many people who lent their time, advice, patience and interest for this thesis and Bottle Village. Prof. John Hinchman provided his thoughts which brought forth valuable and positive contributions to my research. In addition, he has guided our class through the formatting trials and tribulations of our theses – thanks John. I would like to thank Mrs. Evelyn Taylor of California State University Channel Islands Archives, Ms. Amy Skillman, former director of Bottle Village, Bhawna Dadona, friend and colleague, Amel Chabbi, friend and colleague, Mona at the GCI, and Emile Askey, photographer extraordinaire. Finally, I would like to thank my family for their unconditional support and enthusiasm with my academic studies and aspirations. And Craig, who always gives me perspective and love. iii Bottle Village Table of Contents CONTENTS 1. Chapter: Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 1.1. Research Objectives............................................................................................ 1 1.2. Site Description................................................................................................... 2 1.3. A Collector’s Mentality ...................................................................................... 4 1.4. Timeline .............................................................................................................. 7 2. Environmental Folk Art in America..................................................................... 15 2.1. History of Environmental Folk Art.................................................................... 15 2.2. Contemporary Art Movement and Assemblage ................................................ 20 2.3. Defining the Folk Art Environment................................................................... 21 3. Values....................................................................................................................... 24 3.1. Analysis of Terminology ................................................................................... 25 3.2. Evaluating Authenticity ..................................................................................... 27 3.2.1. Form & Design....................................................................................... 29 3.2.2. Materials................................................................................................. 30 3.2.3. Traditions and Techniques...................................................................... 31 3.2.4. Use and Function .................................................................................... 32 3.2.5. Location and Setting ............................................................................... 32 3.2.6. Spirit and Intent.......................................................................................33 3.3. Mission Statement.............................................................................................. 36 4. Literature Review Criteria..................................................................................... 37 4.1. Documentation................................................................................................... 38 4.1.1. Hand Survey............................................................................................39 4.1.2. Instrumental Survey................................................................................ 40 4.1.3. REDM Total Station ............................................................................... 41 4.1.4. Record or Field Photography.................................................................. 42 4.1.5. Photogrammetry...................................................................................... 43 iv Bottle Village Table of Contents 4.1.6. RectifiedPhotography……..................................................................... 44 4.1.7. Stereophotography.................................................................................. 45 4.1.8. Laser Scanning........................................................................................ 45 5. Conditions Survey Overview ................................................................................. 47 5.1. Level I - Objective ............................................................................................. 48 5.2. Long Range Construction Plan .......................................................................... 49 5.3. Container Glass Manufacture ............................................................................ 51 5.4. Construction Techniques ................................................................................... 53 5.5. Environment....................................................................................................... 57 6. Conditions Survey: Level II Objective.................................................................. 60 6.1. Documentation and Recording .......................................................................... 60 6.2. Rapid Conditions Assessment Survey ............................................................... 63 6.3. Damage Atlas..................................................................................................... 66 7. Conditions Survey: Level III Objective................................................................ 67 7.1. Material Analysis............................................................................................... 67 7.1.1. Glass........................................................................................................ 68 7.1.2. Mortar....................................................................................................