Workshop for Interventive & Preventive Conservation of Textiles, Paper & Metal 2020 (Balkan Heritage / Ionian University)

Location: Zakynthos, GR

Season: May 17, 2020 to June 6, 2020

Session Dates: Session 1: 17 - 23 May (Paper); Session 2: 17 -30 May (Paper & Metal); Session 3: 24 - 30 May (Metal); Session 4: 24 May - 6 June (Metal & Textiles) Session 5: 31 May - 6 June (Textiles) Session 6: 17 May - 6 June (Full course)

Application Deadline: April 5, 2020

Deadline Type: Rolling

Website: https://www.bhfieldschool.org/program/conservation-course-historic-textiles-paper-metal

Discount for AIA members: 5%

Program Type:
Field School, Volunteer

RPA Certified:
No

Affiliation:
Balkan Heritage Field School, Ionian University - Division Conservation of Antiquities & Works of Art (I.U) and New Bulgarian University

Project Director:
Dr Angela Pencheva (Archaeologist, Balkan Heritage Foundation) and Dr Christos Karydis (Conservator, Ionian University - Division Conservation of Antiquities & Works of Art (I.U))

Project Description:

In 2020, the Workshop for Interventive & Preventive Conservation of Textiles, Paper & Metal will again be hosted by the Ionian University – Division Conservation of Antiquities & Works of Art in Zakynthos island (Greece). It provides a unique opportunity for students and volunteers to gain comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience on the conservation and preservation of organic and inorganic artifacts. Participants will be guided through the history and technology of ecclesiastical, historical and ethnographic textiles, papers and metal objects and consequent stages of their study, conservation and documentation. Both the theoretical and practical courses will take place at the labs of the Division Conservation of Antiquities & Works of Art at the Ionian University. During the project weeks, participants will work with authentic and replicas of textiles, archival materials and metal objects. The project includes three modules: practical work in the documentation and restoration of textiles, paper and metal; lectures, training, study visits and excursions to the General Archives of Zakynthos (paper), to the Ecclesiastical Museum of St. Dionysious (textiles) and one day trip to the famous Shipwreck at Navagio (metal).

By the end of the workshop the participants will:

• be able to develop basic practical skills (depending on participant’s initial level of qualification) in textiles, paper and metal conservation treatments
• become acquainted with the basic methods of all the required documentation for the conservation of textiles, paper and metal using graphic software, as well as photo documentation
• learn about the forms, types, traditions and technology of manufacture of textiles, paper and metal
• get acquainted with different case studies for preventive conservation of organic and inorganic materials.
• meet professionals working in the areas of conservation in Greece.

             

The course consists of three separate educative modules depending on the subject in their focus: 1) PAPER, 2) METAL, 3) TEXTILES. Each of them consists of approx. 33 hours of lectures, workshops and study visits to significant sites on the island of Zakynthos.

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

• Introduction to Chemistry for Conservators

1) PAPER CONSERVATION MODULE

• History of Paper Making
• History of Bookmaking & Bookbinding
• Documentation & Causes of Deterioration of Paper
• Documentation Techniques of Paper Objects
• Identification of Damages of Paper Objects
• Preventive Conservation & Handling of Paper Objects and Books: Case studies St. Catherine of Sinai and Iraq project
• Introduction to First Aid Treatments of Paper Artifacts
• Introduction to Paper Conservation Treatments
• Paper Conservation Techniques
• Housing and Storage of Paper and Books. Folders and Boxmaking
• Visit to the Historic Public Library and the General Archives of Zakynthos

 

2) METAL CONSERVATION MODULE

• History of Ethnographic and Archaeological Metal Artifacts
• Construction Technology of Ethnographic and Archaeological Metal Artifacts
• Introduction to Interventive Conservation Treatments of Metal
• Conservation Techniques and Materials of Metal: 1) Iron; 2) Copper; 3) Copper Alloys
• Physicochemical Analyses of Metal: XRF, XRD & Raman analysis
• Preventive Conservation & Handling of Metal. Conditions and Materials of Storage or Exposure of Metal
• Environmental Conditions of Interventive or Preventive Conservation. Methods and Materials of in situ Conservation of Metal
• Visit to Navagio (the shipwreck and the beach), Zakynthos.

3) TEXTILE CONSERVATION MODULE

• History of Textiles
• Documentation & Causes of Deterioration of Textiles
• Documentation Techniques of Textiles
• Introduction to First Aid Treatments of Textiles Artifacts
• Introduction to Textile Conservation Treatments
• Introduction to the Physicochemical Analysis on Works of Art and Antiquities
• Mechanical Cleaning and Humidification Techniques
• Textile Conservation Techniques and Fiber Identification
• Introduction to Stain Removal: 1) mechanical cleaning; 2) solvent cleaning
• Stitching Support Exercise
• Hanging Textile (Materials & Techniques)
• Preventive Conservation & Handling of Textiles. Case study: Holy Mountain of Athos & Patmos Monastery (UNESCO Monuments)

Period(s) of Occupation: Middle Ages, Modern

Notes:
The workshop will enable participants to gain comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience in textile, paper and metal conservation. Documentation and scientific analysis (optical microscopy & XRF, XRD analysis) will also be presented. The participants will document original materials and work on replicas.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: 1 week

Minimum Age: 18

Room and Board Arrangements:
Accommodation*: In the family-run hotel Yria near the historical center of the town of Zakynthos (Zante), in comfortable rooms with two to four beds (bathrooms with shower and WC, TV, 24 hour room service, lockers, hair dryers, LAN plugin connection, a/c and a fridge). Laundry service and free Wi-Fi are available at the hotel. Participants are not expected to bring any additional equipment, bedclothes or towels. Single rooms are available upon request for the supplement of 150 EUR per week. Staying an extra day at the hotel costs 45 EUR (per night per person). *Subject to change. May be substituted with similar level accommodation. Meals: The admission fee covers only breakfast. Lunches and dinners are not included. The prices of the inexpensive and mid-ranged restaurants vary between 10 - 20 Euros for a three-course menu.

Academic Credit:
3/6/9 ECTS credits from New Bulgarian University for an additional tuition fee. Participants who are not interested in academic credits don't need to pay the tuition fee.