The Development of a DNA Microarray for the Rapid Identification of Moulds on Works of Art

Abstract

This paper describes the development and testing of a highly specific molecular tool for the identification of moulds on works of art, based on the two internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1 and ITS2) of fungal ribosomal deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA). The conventional identification of fungi in microbiology laboratories by means of phenotypic features and physiological tests is timeconsuming and often not capable of detecting all the species living on and in the substrate. Furthermore, fungi that are dead, which may also represent a potential health threat to the conservator, cannot be identified by these conventional methods. To complement the microbiological identification, a diagnostic DNA microarray was developed for the rapid and simultaneous detection and highly specific identification of 39 potentially pathogenic fungal species and 17 genera inhabiting works of art. Because this technique uses DNA hybridization-based genotypic identification, it provides a cultivation-independent characterization of moulds on works of art.     

Conservation of Iron with Tannin

Abstract

Ivory can undergo severe cracking and splitting when exposed to adverse environmental conditions. The anisotropic dimensional properties of ivory have been investigated under varied temperature and relative humidity conditions. Migration of moisture into and out of ivory was found to play the principal role in its expansion and contraction. To control the resultant swelling and shrinking, the use of polymer coatings and waxes to act as moisture barriers was examined. A particularly effective polyvinylidene chloride emulsion was further tested for facility of application and aesthetic appearance. The incorporation of plasticizers into ivory to reduce brittleness and thereby relieve stress was also investigated.     

Conservation and Book Arts

SUMMARY

This presentation contrasts and relates historical binding structure, book conservation and physical deterioration of books with interpretive modern works of book art.     

A Model for Vibration Monitoring of Immovable Art in Churches: Reflections on Monitoring as a Tool for Preventive Conservation

ABSTRACT

During construction of a 6 km long railway tunnel close to historic churches in Stockholm, a preventive monitoring model was applied for ensembles of large-scale immovable ecclesiastical artworks. Construction work such as blasting and pile-driving took place during five years under or very close to these immovable works of art. In Sweden, risk assessment related to construction work is focused on risks associated with the building; meanwhile, there is no common approach for protecting the immovable historic works of art and architectural surfaces. This paper discusses how a preventive model for vibration monitoring on immovable artworks was developed and used as well as how the preventive purpose was perceived by different stakeholders during and after the tunnelling work. Experience from this project concludes that monitoring that includes uniform visual inspection becomes crucial for being able to protect the artworks. The concept of vibrations standards relying on fixed numbers of critical vibrations levels for mitigating the effects of vibration on immovable art can be questioned based on experiences from this project.     

RESTORATION OF TURQUOISE MASKS FROM COIXTLAHUACA AND ZAACHILA,OAXACA

Abstract

A feature card system is described which enables the storing of information resulting from the scientific examination of works of art.

The feature card system is necessary in order to ascertain quickly certain information for reference purposes. It also enables technical findings to be related to artists, epochs and art regions, and statistical reports to be made on the use of certain materials and art techniques in different centuries and epochs.

The punch cards used cover a maximum number of 6000 objects. The number of features which can be introduced is unlimited because it corresponds to the number of punch cards. The system works on the following lines: the art objects are numbered in the order in which they are examined. Each art object is given a serial number. The serial number is punched on the feature cards, which are subdivided into feature sections, and alphabetically arranged. The feature (general, art-historical and technical data) is given as a heading in ‘clear-text’ at the top of each punch card.

The feature card system described has some advantages: for setting up such a system only a rough scheme need be worked out. It is always possible to introduce further features at a later date. The system described is one of the simplest and cheapest punch card systems; it can be operated similarly to a normal filing system.     

Disfiguring organic residues on industrially produced sheet metal coupons simulating copper and brass works of art by Donald Judd: Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis and treatment recommendations

Abstract

The Minimalist work of Donald Judd exemplifies modern and contemporary works of art that utilize the appearance of bare metal as an integral component of the artist's intent. Decades after fabrication, disfiguring patterns have appeared on the surfaces of many such works. These patterns are not related to the formation of tarnish or other corrosion effects caused by improper storage, display, or transportation and handling; rather, they are associated with the initial processing of the metal sheets and subsequent fabrication of the art objects. Due to the challenges of obtaining analytical data directly from works of art, the authors present results from industrial sheet metal coupons prepared to simulate materials and techniques used in Donald Judd's copper and brass artworks. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy carried out on each side of 55 coupons indicated the presence of organic materials such as long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons, esters, and ethers, consistent with the types of compounds used in industrial lubricants. In addition to conducting the first systematic instrumental analysis of these residues, the authors propose the use of specific solvents for their removal as an alternative to abrasive methods, which cause removal of original surface from the objects.     

The conservation and iconography of Viceregal paintings and sculpture: old problems and new approaches

Abstract

The reasons for the often poor condition of Viceregal paintings and sculptures are examined. The conservation of four works is described, chosen largely because they had typical problems and would benefit from recently developed techniques. The treatments were: the preliminary lining of very cupped paintings, before using moisture to stretch the original canvas and allow the paint layer to lie flat again; lining badly torn paintings on a thin, semi-rigid, transparent support and using the old stretcher, in order to preserve the structure and aesthetic impression of the painting as much as possible; masking to protect susceptible fine lines against solvent action during cleaning; blending disturbing passages of the paint layer like blanching, irreducible stains, singeing and pentimenti into the colour scheme without overpainting; repairing broken pieces of sculpture with bamboo dowels. The study is accompanied by an iconographical discussion of colonial works of art.     

The Conservation of Stained Glass

Abstract

The study of the structure and materials of ancient works of art has been much intensified with the development and use of improved analytical techniques. It was considered desirable to apply an X-ray fluorescence technique which could scan polished cross-sections of paint materials embedded in plastic. Layer thicknesses of 20–50 μ were successfully surveyed with an X-ray macroprobe attached to a fine-focus vacuum X-ray spectrograph. Elements above atomic number 16 in areas of 50 μ diameter were successfully detected and precisely located in the cross-section. The method has been applied particularly to the study of the technique of Rembrandt and Lievens paintings.     

Broadcasters’ attitudes toward public responsibility: An Ohio case study

Certainly one key to a licensee's response to community needs is the perception by top station executives of their station's role in the community. The following article is an adaptation of some research findings of a dissertation conducted under the supervision of Professor Walter B. Emery at Ohio State University in 1971. The author, now an assistant professor in the department of speech and dramatic art at the University of Iowa, received a research grant from the National Association of Broadcasters to help conduct the study.     

Citation Classics in Urban Sociology: Mapping the Intellectual Evolution of a Research Specialty

Abstract

This study identifies, describes, and analyzes the most highly cited works in the urban sociology literature to investigate empirically the subfield’s intellectual foundations, its future research directions, and its relationship to the broader discipline of sociology. The findings show that these landmark publications are more likely to be authored by United States based scholars, study cities in the United States, propose new concepts, and address the topic of racial inequality. They include works of classical sociology, traditional urban sociology, and new urban sociology. This study concludes that the Chicago School’s legacy continues to shape contemporary urban sociology as the specialty expands in interdisciplinary directions.     

Some Theory for the Conservation of Contemporary Art

ABSTRACT

This article analyzes different ontological categories and how they relate to the conservation of contemporary art. Faced with the necessity of apprehending the work of art from an ontological point of view, a theoretical approach is made on the concepts that most affect the conservation of contemporary art: quiddity, truth-authenticity, identity, quality, consistency, and interpretation. These are analyzed from an empirical perspective, based on the experience of conservation and restoration. Since conserving and restoring require making decisions that will affect the material and conceptual plane of the works, several possible paradigms that must be introduced into the deontological code of the profession are analyzed. In addition, the study of a new paradigm is provided, that of the death of the work of art. This paradigm can serve as a frame of reference, given the impossibility of bringing the ‘Truth’ of the artwork into the world of the sensitive. This may occur due to different conditioning factors and limitations of a material, technical, or intentional type, which affect issues that were once established as essential to the entity. On the other hand, different types of time that are related to the conservation of contemporary art are studied: biological time, the eternal present of the work, time as a constructor agent, and destructive time as a facilitator of the appearance of ruin or ruin-relic in the work of art.     

A day in the life: Interviews with three PE/VC librarians

ABSTRACT

This article is an interview with three librarians with extensive experience in private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) research. Two of the participants work in a business research consultancy and one works in an academic library within a graduate business school. They shared their thoughts on what is unique or noteworthy about conducting research in these areas. Topics covered include: a typical workday; common research requests; information resources used; differences in research in private equity and venture capital; the information needs of entrepreneurs, students and professors; and challenges that arise in conducting PE and VC research.     

The Slavist in the Digital World: Creating Scholarly Resources in Partnership with Librarians at the University of Virginia

ABSTRACT. This article offers a brief discussion of two projects—the creation of a set of digital images of Russian art and an exhibit of modern Russian children's books—developed in collaborative partnership between a Slavist and librarians at the University of Virginia. Both of these projects were designed to create shareable, flexible, and sustainable resources for research and educational use. The challenges and benefits of collaborative partnerships between scholars and librarians are discussed, and models for conceptualizing the relationships are also proposed.     

A technical note on the casting of unsupported polymeric films

Abstract

In conducting research on the physical propertIes and durabIlIty of coating materials used in the conservation of art objects, difficulty was encountered In efforts to make uniformly thick, coherent, free-standing films for testing purposes. An efficientrapid casting technique has been developed utilizing reusable molds. The technique is applicable to the preparation of films from a wide range of materials.     

The Intellectual Landscape of the Domain of Culture and Ethics in Knowledge Organization: An Analysis of Influential Authors and Works

Abstract

This article aims to examine the intellectual landscape of the domain of culture and ethics in knowledge organization (KO). A domain analysis was conducted on a corpus of 206 relevant papers using bibliometric methods such as author co-citation analysis. The findings revealed a core group of influential authors consisting of Olson, Beghtol, and other influential KO researchers. The most prominent research themes that constitute this scientific community have also been investigated by reviewing some fundamental concepts and influential works in the domain.     

Characterization of Zinc Carboxylates in an Oil Paint Test Panel

ABSTRACT

Zinc (carboxylate) soaps, formed by reactions between zinc oxide (ZnO) and fatty acids in a drying oil, are known to cause deterioration in the paint layers of modern and contemporary oil paintings. This study investigates zinc carboxylates that developed in an oil painting test panel designed to mimic the aging and degradation encountered in actual works of art. Following accelerated and natural aging, protrusions were noted on the surface of the test panel. A large protrusion with erupted gel features was extracted from the test panel, mounted in top view, and then cut to reveal the sample's cross section. The gel features, which resulted from the unreacted oil binder's separation from the paint matrix, facilitated zinc carboxylate formation. Using reflectance µ-FTIR and SEM-EDX analysis, the morphologies and spatial distributions of zinc carboxylates within the gel regions of the protrusion were studied. A concentration gradient of zinc within the gel material was observed in the cross-sectional view, indicating patterns of zinc carboxylate formation and migration.     

Initiatives and Referenda in Michigan: A Research Guide

SUMMARY

Initiatives and referenda are a key part of the democratic process in Michigan, but they are one of the most difficult types of legal materials to research. This guide provides an overview of the history of the I&R process in Michigan, a general outline of how the process works, and a selected list of resources, both primary and secondary, that provide valuable information for researchers seeking to explore this important part of Michigan's legislative system.     

Defining Fair Use in Visual Art Research Sources and Strategies

Abstract

This guide offers extensive resources on the intersection of intellectual property law and contemporary visual art and on the application of the doctrine of fair use within this context. It is designed to assist attorneys, museum administrators, art collectors, art dealers and artists in handling litigation involving copyright litigation. It is particularly focused on copyright claims arising out of the art movement known as “appropriation,” which has emerged as a litigation target due to its use of familiar images and image genres drawn from public and consumer media. The guide strives to aid artworlders and attorneys new to art litigation in developing an understanding of the limitations and extent of fair use protections for visual artwork.     

Picture perfect

ABSTRACT

The purchasing of student art for display in a library can enhance a building while supporting creative achievement and collaboration with art faculty. One small undergraduate library shares their process for obtaining student art as well as challenges.     

THE USE OF THE AIRBRASIVE PROCESS FOR CLEANING ETHNOLOGICAL MATERIALS

Abstract

Ethnological specimens of many different materials can be dry cleaned mechanically by means of a grit-spraying unit. Plain and painted leather, corroded metal, beadwork, metallic embroidery, wood, ivory, bone, basketry, some paper, pottery, shell, some textiles and stone are items which can be cleaned with less disturbance to the surface than is often occasioned by the use of other methods. A specimen constructed of several materials may be cleaned by this one method rather than by several, thereby also avoiding the use of water, solvents or other chemicals. The powdered abrasives used are calcium magnesium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, glass beads, and several grades of aluminium oxide. Silicone carbide powder is used occasionally for very hard corrosion products on metal.