October 30-31, 2015
Allentown, Pennsylvania
The IDEAL Center for Innovation of Lafayette College in collaboration with the Consorzio Interuniversitario per lo Sviluppo dei Sistemi a Grande Interfase-CSGI with the support of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation present a two-day workshop at the Allentown Art Museum of the Lehigh Valley
Nanotechnologies for Cultural Conservation:
Current Trends and Practices
The workshop will provide a unique opportunity to introduce North American cultural and educational institutions to the scientific, nano-based protocols for conservation pioneered under Piero Baglioni. At the CSGI, Professor Baglioni and his colleagues have developed innovative procedures, including the application of low-impact, nanostructured dispersions, such as nanoparticles, micellar solutions, microemulsions, and “responsive” gel formulations. Such nanomaterials are superior to the polymers and liquid solvents that typically have been used for cleaning, since gels permit greater control, do not penetrate or chemically alter the painted surface, and do not require friction (swabbing) for removal. Equally significant, they are safe for the conservator and the environment. This hands-on workshop demonstrates the extraordinary advances that have been made in art conservation as we approach the 50th anniversary of the flood of the Arno River in November 1966, which threatened the survival of Florentine art.
We invite conservators and museum professionals from the institutions holding works from the Samuel H. Kress Memorial Collection as well as those from educational institutions, museums, galleries, and libraries across America, and students. Awards up to $250 to defray expenses will be offered to twenty participants who prepare poster presentations highlighting works in their collections that have received or require conservation. The workshop thus will serve as a professional forum for evaluating conservation practices and encouraging exchanges.
Important dates
Registration opens August 10
Submission of abstracts for consideration of funding awards closes September 15
Notification of funding awards is October 2
Deadline for regular registration is October 16
