On Thu, 12 Dec 1996, Helen Goucher wrote:
>A different artist recently showed me an Iris print, made on an ink-jet
printer, also poster-size, which was very crisp and detailed and which he
expects to last indefinitely, although I can't verify that (do any of the
conservators on the list know?).

Iris prints are incredibly crisp, with the added benefit of using nearly any
type of paper (including handmade) as a substrate. But as to their
longevity, your artist friend should get some accurate facts. The Iris
prints are extremely susceptible to color shifts and fading, as evidenced by
a print I had made two short years ago (at a rather expensive price) that
now is reduced to its cyan (read: final) layer. In other words, it's blue.
Iris prints are not, I repeat, are not archival, no matter what anyone says!

On a more promising note, Nash Editions in southern California (yes, that's
Graham Nash of CSN&Y fame) has developed ways of making Iris prints last up
to 20 years; I don't know what the treatment entails, but if it can approach
B&W silver print stability in a color technology, I'm pay the high price gladly.

To wrap up: For temporary exhibits, Iris prints are great. For permanence,
buyer beware.
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Jim Gilmore, Curator of Exhibitions
Redding Museum of Art & History           [log in to unmask]
PO Box 990427, Caldwell Park              916)243-8801
Redding,CA 96099-0427                     fax 916)243-8929

Museum Web Page:http://www.shastalink.k12.ca.us/www/rmah/RMAHmain.html

Museum Home Page:http://www.shastalink.k12.ca.us/www/rmah/RMAHmain.html