Abstract Book Material 2018 Matters 46th Annual Meeting May 29-June 2, 2018 American Institute for Conservation Houston, Texas of Historic and Artistic Works American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works 2018 Abstract Book The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC) is the national membership organization supporting conservation professionals in preserving cultural heritage by establishing and upholding professional standards, promoting research and publications, providing educational opportunities, and fostering the exchange of knowledge among conservators, allied professionals, and the public. The Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (FAIC) supports conservation education, research, and outreach activities that increase understanding of our global cultural heritage. Its mission is to elevate the vital role of cultural heritage conservation by applying its expertise to urgent global preservation initiatives while empowering conservation professionals, motivating collecting institutions, and engaging the public. The abstracts are published as received with only minor proofing; AIC assumes no responsibility for their content. The titles and author names have been formatted for consistency. Abstracts appear in order of presentations per session, as of March 22, 2018. Copyright © 2018 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means without the written permission of the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works. American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works 727 15th Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005 202-452-9545 | fax: 202-452-9328 [email protected] | www.conservation-us.org 46th ANNUAL MEETING Material Matters 2018 May 29 – June 2, 2018 at the Marriott Marquis in Houston, Texas How does a better understanding and appreciation of the properties of materials change their treatment, interpretation, and preservation? Papers were solicited that demonstrate the impact of material studies – or studies of materials – on the conservation profession, including the emergence of innovative treatments, new ways of “looking” and “seeing,” shifts in decision-making and desired outcomes, and changes in collection care strategies. Also welcomed were explorations of the impact of trending “materiality” studies on related disciplines including archaeology, museum and curatorial fields, and art history among others. Topics could include, but were not limited to: cutting-edge imaging and analysis techniques of materials, new materials having conservation applications, revelations about the meaning and signifi- cance of materials within an artist’s work, and improved methods of authentication. AIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS Photographic Materials President: Margaret Holben Ellis Tatiana Cole*, Barbara Lemmen, Saori Lewis Vice President: Suzanne Davis Private Practice Secretary: Sue Murphy Elizabeth Nunan, Linda Roundhill*, Kerith Koss Schrager Treasurer: Sarah Barack Director, Committees & Task Forces: Thomas J. Braun Research & Technical Studies Director, Communications: Brenda Bernier Matthew L. Clarke, Kristen deGhetaldi, Corina Rogge* Director, Professional Education: Molly C. Gleeson Sustainability Director, Specialty Groups: Sarah Melching Geneva Griswold*, Christian Hernandez 2018 PROGRAM COMMITTEES Textiles * Program Chair Laura Mina, Melanie D. Sanford*, Kirsten Schoonmaker GENERAL SESSION Wooden Artifacts Suzanne Davis*, Jamye Jamison, Rebecca Kaczkowski, Genevieve Bieniosek, Anna Kosters, Paige L. Schmidt* Fran E. Ritchie, Corina Rogge, Jessica Walthew, Elizabeth Keats Webb POSTER EDITORS Christine Bisulca, Suzanne Davis*, Laura McCann, Kari SPECIALTY & INTEREST SESSIONS Rayner Architecture Lacey Bubnash, Andrew Fearon, Rebekah Krieger* AIC & FAIC STAFF Executive Director: Eryl P. Wentworth Book and Paper Finance Director: Linda Budhinata Debra Cuoco*, Anne Driesse, Jennifer Hunt Johnson, Linda Administrative Assistant: Vikram Chauhan Owen Programs Director & Administrative Manager: Tiffani Emig Collection Care Membership Operations Assistant: Erika Goergen Rachael Perkins Arenstein, Lisa Goldberg, Gretchen Guidess, CAP Assistant: Elizabeth Handwerk Kurt Karen Pavelka* Communications Associate: Carmina Lamare-Bertrand Outreach Coordinator: Katelin Lee Electronic Media Communications & Membership Director: Bonnie Naugle Patricia Falcao*, Flavia Perugini, Crystal Sanchez Institutional Advancement Director: Eric Pourchot Objects Education Coordinator: Sarah Saetren Jessica Arista, Molly Gleeson, Frances Lukezic, Ariel Meetings & Advocacy Director: Ruth Seyler O’Connor*, Tony Sigel Emergency Programs Coordinator: Jessica Unger Membership Manager: Ryan Winfield Paintings Charlotte Seifen Ameringer, Noelle Ocon, Desirae Dixon Peters* Abstract book compiled and designed by Bonnie Naugle 2018 AIC Annual Meeting Abstracts 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 46TH Annual Meeting . 2 Pre-session Symposia . 4 Use of Leather in Book Conservation. .4 Whose Cultural Heritage? Whose Conservation Strategy? ..........................9 General Sessions (Day 1) . 18 Concurrent General Sessions (Day 2) . 20 Imaging Technology ......................................................20 Material Questions .......................................................22 Material Transfers and Translations. 25 Natural History Collections ................................................27 Problematic Materials .....................................................29 Long-form Sessions: Materiality: A Series of Questions; Arts Recovery After Hurricane Harvey; Lessons from Irma and Harvey: Preparation and Response in the 2017 Hurricane Season ..32 Architecture . 34 Joint Architecture & Archaeological Conservation Session .........................34 Architecture Sessions .....................................................36 Book & Paper . 43 Joint Book & Paper + Electronic Media Session with Archives Conservation Discussion Group ....................................50 Library Collections Conservation Discussion Group. 51 Collection Care . 52 Electronic Media . 57 Joint Book & Paper + Electronic Media Session with Archives Conservation Discussion Group ....................................50 Objects . 65 Joint Objects + Archaeological Conservation Session .............................67 Paintings . 75 Photographic Materials . 85 Research & Technical Studies . 89 Joint Research & Technical Studies + Textiles Session ...............................89 Joint Research & Technical Studies + Wooden Artifacts Session .......................91 Research & Technical Studies .................................................93 Sustainability . 97 Textiles . 99 Joint Research & Technical Studies + Textiles Session ...............................89 Joint Textiles + Wooden Artifacts Session .......................................102 Wooden Artifacts . 105 Joint Research & Technical Studies + Wooden Artifacts Session .......................91 Joint Textiles + Wooden Artifacts Session .......................................102 Posters . 108 Author Affiliations . 124 Notes . 132 2018 AIC Annual Meeting Abstracts 3 PRE-SESSION SYMPOSIA remains one of the oldest independent libraries and cultural insti- Use of Leather in Book Conservation tutions in the United States. From fine bindings to commercially Leather has long been used as a repair material for damaged leather made ledgers, leather bindings can be found not only in the rare bindings. The working properties of historic leathers can be very book collection, but in the circulating collection as well. Both different than modern ones. In recent years, conservators have collections provide many examples of historic bindings in varying begun to employ other materials, such as paper or cast acrylic, as quality leathers in various states of deterioration. Since 1963, an alternative to leather in book conservation treatments. Tanned Athenæum conservators have dedicated themselves to the care and animal skins offer less long-term stability and may be more repair of paper-based materials—including leather bound books— difficult to prepare than other materials, but may also provide with inherent historic, artistic, or literary value. Consider early better strength and flexibility in a functioning book. Should leather conservation endeavors, made before the establishment of conservators continue to employ leather using traditional book the conservation program, in the form of rebinding, consolidation repair techniques on leather bindings? Should we abandon the use of leather bindings with Liquick Leather, and various acidic enclo- of tanned skins in favor of more chemically stable materials? Do sures. Later there were efforts to clean and dress leather bindings. alternative book repair materials really stand up to the mechanical Today, leather binding/rebinding is still performed but is limited stresses of use? to Special Collection materials, and is carefully considered by conservation staff in consultation with the Curator of Rare Books and Manuscripts. Other preservation efforts include: working Symposium organizers are Henry Hebert and Marieka Kaye. with Facilities staff to secure the building envelope and maintain a stable preservation environment; removing acidic brown paper wrappers and other acidic enclosures; removing deteriorated A Virtual Tour of the J. Hewit & Sons Tanner leather from bindings and replacing/rebinding in cloth or paper; and consolidating