Organic dyes in Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons from Chalkidiki (Greece)

The present study is probably the first attempt to record the organic colouring materials found in Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons, made in the Mount Athos area and in the adjacent area of Chalkidiki. Fifteen icons, dated from the 14th to the 19th century were tested by Optical Microscopy (OM), employed to reveal the existing pigment layers and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) combined with spectrophotometric UV-Vis detection, used for dyestuff identification. OM showed that organic dyes had been applied either as exclusive colouring materials or in combination with inorganic pigments. HPLC results showed that reddish cochineal and a “soluble” redwood appear to be the most common organic dyes of the icons tested. The limited use of madder, found only in one icon, suggests that the widespread plants of the Rubiaceae family were probably not frequently used by the iconographers during the historical period investigated. Similarly, an indigoid dye source was found in one sample. The results show that mixtures of organic dyes were used in Byzantine and post-Byzantine icons.     

The role of the fracture plane's inclination in the restoration of marble epistyles

The influence of the inclination of the fracture plane (with respect to the axis of the bar used for restoration) on the stress and strain fields developed in the restored structural member is explored numerically by employing the Finite Element Method. Attention is focused to marble epistyles fractured into two pieces joined together with the aid of a single threaded titanium bar and suitable cement paste interposed between marble and titanium according to the technique introduced by the scientists working for the restoration of the Acropolis of Athens monuments. The numerical model is calibrated and validated according to experimental results obtained by submitting an accurate copy of a fractured epistyle of the Parthenon Temple (under an 1:3 scale) to bending. The analysis indicated that the inclination between the fracture plane and the axis of the reinforcing bar drastically influences the intensity of the stress field developed even for relatively small inclination angles.     

GPR survey to study the restoration of a Roman monument

This paper describes the ground-penetrating radar (GPR) survey carried out on the Roman theatre of Sagunto (Valencia, Spain) following recent restoration work in 1991. The structure has been substantially altered a number of times: it was remodelled during the Roman and Moorish periods, partially destroyed during the Peninsular War (1808–1814) and the Carlist War (1833–1839), and extensively modified during the 1930s and 1950s. Major reconstruction work was carried out in 1991 to convert the building into a working theatre. The GPR survey was performed to detect the possible effects of the 1991 remodelling on the historical remains and to identify the point of contact between the present-day modifications and the Roman remains. We took several on-site measurements of the wave velocity in the different materials in known areas to determine as accurately as possible the depth of the contact point. The velocity was calculated by measuring the depth in these areas and the two-way travel time of the wave. The measurements were taken from the walls and the tiers as the thicknesses of the materials were known in these areas. The recorded values were compared with the velocities reported by other authors and with the information from diffraction hyperbolas recorded in the radar data, which are caused by small objects inserted in the medium. We used these velocities to determine the exact point of contact between the Roman remains and the materials used in later restorations. The contact points cause the reflections that can be seen in the GPR data. The results also reveal considerable variations in the surface of the Roman tiers, which can be attributed to partial erosion in these areas caused mainly by water.     

Color characterization of roofing slates from the Iberian Peninsula for restoration purposes

Substitution of slate roofing tiles is a conventional operation during building restoration, since tiles are very difficult to restore or clean because of the high degree of alteration they suffer. Criteria for replacement of historical building stones must be based on geological, geotechnical and esthetic parameters, among which color is of great importance. In this sense, this paper constitutes a comprehensive and useful colorimetric study of roofing slates from the Iberian Peninsula, for the purposes of restoration. The color of 50 commercial varieties of roofing slate mined in quarries from the 12 mining districts in the Iberian Peninsula was analyzed with a spectrophotometer device, by considering the CIELAB color space. The results of the study were used to develop a protocol for characterizing the color of roofing slate and to define the color range of roofing slate from the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, the similarities and differences in the color and microstructure of the different commercial varieties of Iberian roofing slate were established and the limit of acceptability of replacement of one type of slate by another was determined. Parameter h_ab was found to be the most important CIELAB color coordinate as regards the formation of homogeneous color groups, and the specular component excluded (SCE) mode was most sensitive as regards detecting color differences between two samples.     

Mediated Intercultural Dialectics: Identity Perceptions and Performances in Virtual Worlds

As identity has a profound influence on intercultural communication, we explicate a dialectical perspective to identify multiple relationships between new media and identity perception and performance complexities within the context of multidimensional virtual worlds. These mediated intercultural dialectics include the personal-contextual, static-dynamic and privilege-disadvantage dimensions of avatar representations and interactions.     

An experience curve-based decision support model for prioritizing restoration needs of cultural heritage

Today's restoration and preservation of cultural heritage is an important task because of its historical significance, symbolism, and economic benefits. Decision makers or executors often encounter with taking decisions on which heritage is prioritized to be restored within the limited budget. However, very few tools are available to determine appropriately restoration priorities for the diverse historical heritages, perhaps because of a lack of systematized decision-making aids. This paper proposes an alternative decision support model to prioritize restoration needs within the executable budget. The model is constructed on stochastic analytic hierarchy process (S-AHP) and knowledge-based experience curve (EC); the former requires the input data to be random variables for interpreting probabilistically the ranks of the prioritized heritages and the latter reflects quantitatively the contribution of experts’ knowledge to weighting significant criteria in carrying out an assessment of restoration urgency. The application of 14 cultural heritages in Korea has been conducted, and the results are analyzed to illustrate the model's efficiency.     

Characteristics of Italian art restoration firms and factors influencing their adoption of laser technology

Given the limited number of studies on this topic, the aim of this study is to better understand the characteristics of art restoration firms in Italy, with particular reference to their use of innovative technologies such as laser technology. The paper is supported by a survey conducted in a sample of 100 companies. The factors that have led firms to adopt or resist the adoption of the laser were identified and analysed. The results show that the main determinants of laser adoption are collaborative activities between the firms and universities and specific requests made by public institutions to use this technology.

Elemental analyses by laser induced breakdown spectroscopy as restoration test on a piece of ordnance

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy was used to investigate the composition of a gun found in the Adriatic seabed and kept in the “S. Castromediano” Provincial Museum in Lecce (Italy). Optical emission spectra of the laser-induced plasma from the surface of the piece of ordnance were recorded before and after its restoration. The metal alloy of the gun was determined through the identification of characteristic atomic emissions and confirmed through microanalysis carried out by energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy. Experimental results evidenced that the gun is of bronze and revealed that elements composing the encrustation and noxious for the object conservation, such as calcium, were removed successfully during the cleaning operation. Performed elemental analyses confirmed that laser induced breakdown spectroscopy is a useful diagnostic tool to test the restoration degree of artworks.     

Guidelines for selecting roofing slate for the restoration of historical buildings and monuments: Two case studies

Slate has been used for centuries as a building material, and many historical buildings and monuments use slate in roofs and structures. When slate roofs must be totally or partially replaced, the structural and aesthetic integrity of the building as a whole must be guaranteed, based on both international criteria for restoration, and on current local legislation regarding historical buildings. For selection of the most appropriate type of slate to use in the restoration of historical slate roofing, we propose the following steps: a) study of the roof's state, b) spectrophotometric determination of the texture and colour of the original slate, c) petrographic study and determination of the weatherability of the replacement slate, and d) location of the original slate quarry area. With all these data it is possible to choose the most suitable type of commercial slate for replacing the original slate. Thus, even in the absence of historical information, with this four-stage process a replacement slate for building restoration can still be selected on clear and justifiable grounds. The present article uses this methodology to examine two case studies of roofing slate restoration.     

The Theory and Practice of the Virtual University: Working Through the Work of Making Work Mobile

The coming of new Information CommunicationTechnologies (ICTs) has prompted muchcontroversy in higher education. Scholars andadministrators have been excited by thepotential – perhaps the threat – of the`virtual' university. But whilst much has beenwritten about `virtual higher education', lesshas been said about the actual `work' involved.Drawing upon insights from the sociology oftechnology, this paper reports on the attemptsof one university to reconcile ideas about`virtuality' with the more established networksand infrastructures of traditional universitylife. This research is based upon aparticipant-observation study carried out inthe UK.     

When Transnational Civil Network Meets Local Context: An Exploratory Hyperlink Network Analysis of Northern/Southern NGOs' Virtual Network in China

Abstract

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are important communicators in the international arena, but few studies have explored the encounter between Northern NGOs (NNGOs) and Southern NGOs. This study examines how NNGOs build relationships with Chinese NGOs (CNGOs) online and how network positions affect the amount of local media coverage NNGOs receive. This study revealed three major findings: NNGOs occupied a disadvantageous network position; a close connection with CNGOs was crucial for NNGOs to attract media coverage; and NNGOs' and CNGOs' virtual networks demonstrated structural patterns similar to those of their offline networks. This study calls for attention to a mutually beneficial virtual communication structure.     

The scientific approach to the restoration and monitoring of mural paintings at S. Girolamo Chapel – SS. Annunziata Church in Florence

The scientific approach to the restoration and monitoring of mural paintings, at S. Girolamo Chapel – SS. Annunziata Church in Florence, is reported as a fruitful example of the synergic collaboration between restorers and scientists in the planning and development of conservative interventions. Before restoration, the painting technique and the state of preservation of the pictorial cycle have been investigated firstly by close examination of the painted surfaces and then by optical and/or SEM-EDS microscopy and μFT-IR spectroscopy on appropriately selected samples. In particular, the original constituent materials and those belonging to subsequent restorations were characterized together with those originating from decay processes. In this mural painting cycle, a peculiar “fresco” technique has been used although an auxiliary binder for pigment distemper has been also employed. The use of this technique, sometimes in an improper way together with uncorrected restoration interventions, are the main responsible of the unsatisfactory state of conservation of many painted areas. Preliminary conservation trials and scientific studies were carried out to design the most convenient restoration intervention and to verify the correctness and non-invasive of the necessary operations. Special attention was devoted to cleaning procedures, continuously monitored by a physico-chemical methodology, mainly based on microinvasive, microscopic and spectroscopic investigations, to evaluate the efficiency, advantages and drawbacks of the proposed cleaning procedures and define the most appropriate ones. Finally, specific decay markers have been recognized, by a comparison of the results obtained from the detached samples with those deriving from artificially aged models, to be used for a correct future monitoring and maintenance of the wall paintings.     

对艺术的再艺术——《粉墨春秋》登台悉尼歌剧院

20年前,当时还是温州歌舞团编导的邢时苗结识了盖叫天的嫡孙张善麟,看到了盖叫天口述自传《粉墨春秋》,大为震撼,从此与盖派艺术结下深厚感情。20年后,已经成为国内首屈一指的舞台导演的邢时苗,带着他一手执导的歌舞剧《粉墨春秋》,于澳大利亚中国文化年之际,在全球著名的悉尼歌剧院亮相,开创了中国歌舞剧的先河,也让当地的老外和华人们见识了中国梨园春秋和盖派艺术的传奇。     

清代词选集中的擅改原作现象--以《明词综》为中心的考察

清代词人在选本的编选过程中,存在着普遍的擅改原作现象,尤以明词选本为最.以王昶<明词综>为例,选家以当时的词学观来考察明词创作,在声律、格调、本事背景等多方面径直删改,有的改动篇幅竟达一半以上.这是清代中兴词学观在前人词选中的局部体现,既有潜在的心理背景,又有明确的学术动机和目的.此文学现象肇始于明末清初,而止于晚清,对后世的词学观念和学界研究产生了许多负面影响.     

大英博物馆百件文物亮相上海

正"大英博物馆百物展:浓缩的世界史"最近在上海博物馆启幕。展览按照时间线索,从人类文明鸿蒙初开,直到我们创造的当今世界,来自大英博物馆的100件难得一见的藏品,讲述了人类如何改造世界、世界又是如何塑造人类的漫长历程,浓缩了一部悠久而丰富的别样"世界简史"。这100     

欧洲广场扫描

在欧洲的城市广场散步,总觉得有一 双居高临下的眼睛在盯着你,让人惶恐不 安。欧洲的广场大都是“上帝的广场”,它 们都围绕教堂而建,教堂是广场的主角, 上帝是教堂的主角。这样的广场自然都弥 漫着浓郁的宗教氛围,让人觉得上帝他就 在那高高的教堂尖顶之上审视着广场上的 每一