Conservation-restauration

Edith Joseph, is a research scientist and professor at Haute Ecole Arc CR. She develops her research activities on green conservation and biotechnologies applied to cultural heritage. Qing Wu, is a postdoctoral researcher involved in the GoGreen project – WP3, focusing on the biocleaning of historical metal objects. Patrycja Petrasz focuses her PhD research topic on the stabilization of archaeological iron and copper artefacts using waste product (yeast biomass). Lidia Mathys is an experienced techniciansupporting the practical work and the different practical aspects regarding the study of microbial processes. Francesca Ramacciotti is a postdoctoral researcher at the Chemistry Department of the University of Bologna. Her research mainly focuses on the development and testing of greener and less invasive cleaning systems for cultural heritage.

The Haute Ecole Arc Conservation-restoration, as part of the HES-SO network, is involved in a research project entitled GoGreen (Green strategies to conserve the past and preserve the future of cultural heritage). GoGreen promotes preventive and remedial conservation practices based on green principles to spearhead the green revolution within conservation.

Emphasis is placed on developing methods that are biodegradable, bio-sourced, easily accessible, simple to operate and safe for both conservators and the environment, while optimizing treatment performance.

The course is divided into two parts : cleaning and stabilization (it is possible to register for the whole course or just one of the two topics. The selection is made when filling in the registration form).

Go Green 1/2 – Stabilization methods for archaeological metals

Taking advantage of certain microbial metabolites (active substances from bacteria or fungi) and the benefits of recently developed delivery systems (gels, electrospun tissues) in the field of conservation, reactive corrosion products can be converted into more stable compounds and chlorides be removed from objects. Green solutions will be presented as an alternative to the traditional methods that are harmful to the environment and conservators. Then the participants will prepare and apply the product on test objects made of copper or iron. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring objects and samples for the practical sessions, i.e., copper/iron archaeological small items (i.e. nails…) free from soil deposits and without any previous restoration materials present (acrylic coatings for example).

Go Green 2/2 – Cleaning methods for historical metals 

Taking advantage of certain microbial metabolites (active substances from bacteria or fungi) and the benefits of greener solvents and recently developed delivery systems (gels, electrospun tissues) in the field of conservation, tarnish layers or altered organic coatings can be removed from metal surfaces altered with time. Various green cleaning formulations will be presented, then prepared and applied by the participants on test objects made of copper, iron or silver. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring objects and samples for the practical sessions, i.e., copper/iron/silver, historical metals, with or without organic coatings to be removed.

Conservator dealing with metallic artefacts

Day 1 (13h30-17h) – Stabilization methods for archaeological metals

• Welcome of participants
• Theory :
  – General overview (reminders about gels, specific challenges related to metal)
  – Presentation of proposed biological alternatives
• Practical session Iron (part A) :
  – Preparation of hydrogels/immersion solutions amended with Meyerozyma sp. fungi (biosorption + iron reduction) for the extraction of chlorides and conversion of reactive iron corrosion products
• Application on practical cases brought by participants

Day 2 (9h-17h) – Stabilization methods for archaeological metals

• Practical session Copper :
  – Preparation of hydrogels amended with Beauveria bassiana fungi (biopassivation) for the conversion of reactive copper corrosion products
  – Application on practical cases brought by participants

• Practical seesion Iron (part B) :
  – Treatment endwith Meyerozyma sp. fungi (biosorption + iron reduction) for the extraction of chlorides and conversion of reactive iron corrosion products

• Feedback and discussion

Day 3 (8h30-17h) – Cleaning methods for historical metals

• Theory :
  – General overview (reminders about gels, use of cleaning gels, specific challenges related to metals)
  – Presentation of proposed biological alternatives

• Practical session :
  – Preparation of hydrogels with bio-based active agents for the removal of tarnish layers
  – Preparation of electrospun tissues with green solvents for the removal of organic film-forming materials (varnishes, lubricants, protective treatments)
  – Preparation of one-two punch formulations for simultaneous removal of tarnish and altered organic coatings
  – Application on practical cases brought by participants

• Feedback and discussion

Free
Meals, accommodation and travel expenses at own charge of participants