Please post:
 
CASE STUDIES:  CONSERVATION/INNOVATIONS FOR MUSEUM
EXHIBITS
Request for Slides
 
The International Institute for Conservation--Canadian Group (IIC-CG)
is holding its 21st Annual Conference in Calgary, Alberta, from May
24th to May 28th, 1995. A two day training workshop precedes the
conference session. The focus of the workshop is to feature
traditional and avant-garde examples of balancing museum exhibits
with collection preservation. The workshop is planned as a series of
lectures and "hands-on" demonstrations which provide the
participants with opportunity to explore new methods, materials and
systems in the areas of mounting, lighting, case design and security.
 
During one of the workshop sessions there will be a slide
presentation showing examples of exhibit design techniques that
have a positive impact on artifact, art and specimen conservation. To
maximize the collaborative venture of the workshops, we are seeking
slides from exhibit and conservation personnel who have developed
and employed high and low tech ideas for mounts, supports, back
drops, lighting and security systems, etc. that demonstrate ingenuity
of design and skill in the use of materials.
 
We would be pleased to receive your contribution(s) to this
endeavour and invite you to share your exhibit ideas with a
knowledgeable and appreciative international audience. The slide
show offers an opportunity to highlight the best of your past and
present work and promote your institution.
 
A short narrative explaining the slide should be included following the
guidelines attached. Full credit will be given to all work. Deadline for
"case studies" submissions is January 31, 1995.
 
 
GUIDELINES FOR "CASE STUDIES" CONTRIBUTORS
 
1. Slides and text should describe any aspect of exhibit work that is
innovative and has a positive impact on artifact, art or specimen
conservation.
 
2. Slides should be clearly labelled as to what they are depicting. If
there is more than one slide they should be numbered in the order
they are intended to be shown. All slides submitted will be returned
upon request, however, IIC-CG cannot be responsible for loss or
damage.
 
3. Include the following information in your submission:
 
                       Slide#
                        Title
                        Credits
                        Description
    Feel free to discuss reasons for choice; alternative materials
considered; highlighting new materials or techniques; supplies
needed; sources for out-of-house contracting.
 
 
                       Mail to "Case Studies"
                        IIC-CG Workshop '95
                        3912 - 116th Street
                        Edmonton, Alberta   T6G 1R4
                        Canada
 
 
EXAMPLE TEXT FOR SLIDE SUBMISSION
 
Slide #:  1 to 4
Title:  Unobtrusive, padded support for large carved lid of a jade
wedding bowl
Credits:  Bryan McMullen, Designer, Provincial Museum of Alberta,
Edmonton
Description:  To construct an acrylic support that safely suspends
heavy lid over bowl
 
Slide #1:  Using circle jig, router groove into acrylic sheet to fit rim.
Cut acrylic with carbide-tipped blade on table saw, band saw or cross
cut hand saw. Remove all saw marks because sawing may have
created stress points leading to cracking of acrylic edges in the
future.
 
Slide #2:  To prepare edges for polishing, file saw marks, sand with
progressively finer sand paper to remove file marks (120, 240, 320,
400, 600 wet or dry type sandpaper, used without water, and scrape.
The finer the edges are sanded, the easier it will be to polish them.
After scraping, acrylic edges thinner than 3/8" can be successfully
polished by melting with a propane torch.
 
Edges that are to be glued should be planed or routed only, to avoid
rounding edges and weakening bond. Gluing must be done before
flame polishing. Methylene chloride applied to a previously heated
surface (even one that has been allowed to cool) will craze the
plastic.
 
Slide #3:  When fusing acrylic joints of 1/2" or greater, soaking the
edge of the material in methylene chloride for about 2 minutes
produces a bubble-free, strong bond. A soaking tray can be made out
of a piece of angled metal, using wood scraps and plumbers' putty to
seal and level both ends. The thickness of the plastic being used
determines how far down in the "V" of the metal it will sit. The tray
should be filled precisely to this point with the methylene chloride.
Too little solution and the plastic will not rest in it; too much solution
and the sides of the plastic will be submerged, and thus marked. It is
important for this reason to ensure that the makeshift tray is level in
all directions. When the piece has soaked for about 2 minutes,
remove from tray and blot off excess solution by touching the plastic
very briefly and quickly to a flat surface. The soaked piece must be
placed immediately while the edge is still wet. Care must te taken to
set the piece in place correctly the first time, as moving it will ruin
both pieces of plastic. Once it is joined together, moderate pressure
should be applied for at least 20-30 minutes. This pressure is
necessary to ensure that no bubble causing air is trapped in the joint.
Care must be taken when applying the pressure as too much will
cause the melted material in the joint to squeeze out the sides,
ruining the aesthetics of the project,
 
Slide #4:  The wedding bowl on display in the Geology Gallery. The
groove in the acrylic support stand is padded with a narrow black
velvet ribbon to provide a soft, non-abrasive surface for the jade lid.
The stand is secured to the display case with screws.
 
Carolynne Poon
Bruce Peel Special Collections Library
B7 Rutherford South
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada  T6G 2J4
(403) 492-2923
(403) 492-5083 Fax
[log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]
[log in to unmask]