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Care of Plastics

Care of Plastics. In Art & Design collections derek.pullen@tate.org.uk 07974985849. Scope. Artists’ plastics Care principles - a stable environment Identification – prioritise problem plastics Signs and Causes of Deterioration Preparation, handling, storage and display Labelling

Thomas
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Care of Plastics

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  1. Care of Plastics In Art & Design collections derek.pullen@tate.org.uk 07974985849

  2. Scope Artists’ plastics Care principles - a stable environment Identification – prioritise problem plastics Signs and Causes of Deterioration Preparation, handling, storage and display Labelling Cleaning Other options

  3. Artists’Plastics • Paints • Acrylics, PVA – poly vinyl acetate

  4. Artists’Plastics • Paints -acrylic, polyvinyl acetate • GRP – Glass Reinforced Plastic Philip King Tra-La-La  19632743 x 762 x 762 mm

  5. Artists’Plastics • Paints -acrylic, polyvinyl acetate • GRP – glass reinforced plastic • Polyester resin Arman Venus of the shaving brushes c.1968

  6. Artists’Plastics • Paints -acrylic, polyvinyl acetate • GRP – glass reinforced plastic • Polyester resin • Silicone resins Ron Mueck Ghost  1998Fibreglass, silicone, polyurethane foam, acrylic fibre and fabric2019 x 648 x 991 mm

  7. Naum Gabo Linear construction in space no2 1970 h.1150mm Artists’Plastics • Paints -acrylic, polyvinyl acetate • GRP – glass reinforced plastic • Polyester resin • Silicone resins • PMMA - Acrylic

  8. Artists’Plastics • Paints -acrylic, polyvinyl acetate • GRP – glass reinforced plastic • Polyester resin • Silicone resins • PMMA - Acrylic • Mixed media, found objects & readymades

  9. Bruce Lacey The Womaniser  1966Mixed media 1500 x 1650 x 730 mm

  10. Artists’Plastics • Paints -acrylic, polyvinyl acetate • GRP – glass reinforced plastic • Polyester resin • Silicone resins • PMMA - Acrylic • Mixed media, found objects & readymades • Cellulosics –cellulose nitrate and acetate Naum Gabo, Column 1920 h.144mm

  11. Artists’Plastics • Paints -acrylic, polyvinyl acetate • GRP – glass reinforced plastic • Polyester resin • Silicone resins • PMMA - Acrylic • Mixed media, found objects & readymades • Cellulosics –cellulose nitrate and acetate • Photographic, new media, videos, tapes and disks Scrap heap services

  12. Artists’Plastics • Paints -acrylic, polyvinyl acetate • GRP – glass reinforced plastic • Polyester resin • Silicone resins • PMMA - Acrylic • Mixed media, found objects & readymades • Cellulosics –cellulose nitrate and acetate • Photographic, new media, videos, tapes and disks • Polymer clay Thomas Schutte from United Enemies  1993 h.350mm

  13. Carol BlackburnPolymer clay bowls 2007each 45 x 75mm diam

  14. Care principles Prevention Damage is irreversible. Create a dark, cool, clean, dry and stable environment

  15. Care principles Prevention Damage is irreversible, create a stable environment Purpose – what are we trying to achieve? Mission policy, display, reference, hands on, accommodate artist’s intent?

  16. Care principles Prevention Damage is irreversible, create a stable environment Purpose – what are we trying to achieve? Mission policy, display, reference, hands on, accommodate artist’s intent? Continuity - establish good practice Maximise access, minimise handling

  17. Care principles Prevention – damage is irreversible Purpose – what are we trying to achieve? Mission policy, display, reference, hands on, accommodate artist’s intent? Continuity - establish good practice Maximise access, minimise handling Identify, document, record and monitorSurvey, Photography, avoid hot lights. Annual check of ‘at risk’ works

  18. Care principles Prevention – damage is irreversible Purpose – what are we trying to achieve? Mission policy, display, reference, hands on, accommodate artist’s intent? Continuity - establish good practice Maximise access, minimise handling Identify, document, record and monitor Survey, Photography, avoid hot lights. Annual check of ‘at risk’ works Any plan is better than none

  19. Prioritise the problem plastics Identify: Cellulose acetate Cellulose nitrate (celluloid) Plasticised PVC Polyurethane polyester foams Isolate Ventilate Monitor

  20. Signs of Deterioration Odour – acidic, camphor (CN) Change: colour -yellowing, bleaching shape –distortion, sagging, sweating – oily spots bloom – white powder cracks, splits (CAc) and crazing(CN) Corrosion of metal parts Discolouration of packing materials Increased brittleness, crumbling of foam Onset is unpredictable and rapid Occurs at stress points and handled areas Unstable environments cause stress

  21. Gabo Construction in Space (Crystal)1937: Details of condition in 2007

  22. Causes of deterioration Inherent vice –material, manufacture, history, shape, stress

  23. Causes of deterioration Inherent vice –material, manufacture, history, shape, stress Unstable environment -excess light, temperature swings, changes in relative humidity, pollutants

  24. Causes of deterioration Inherent vice –material, manufacture, history, shape, stress Unstable environment -excess light, temperature swings, changes in relative humidity, pollutants Mechanical damage – handling, transport & housekeeping. Wear gloves

  25. Causes of deterioration Inherent vice –material, manufacture, history, shape, stress Unstable environment -excess light, temperature swings, changes in relative humidity, pollutants Mechanical damage – handling, transport & housekeeping. Wear gloves Cleaning and misconceived repairs

  26. Light damage Cumulative and irreversible Affects both the plastic and pigments Control light in storage and on display UV component in light is most damaging Use UV filters on windows and lights

  27. Storage Stable conditions at all times Clean & dry Cool & dark Minimise handling labels

  28. Storage Use: ‘archival’ quality material Avoid contact with wood, metals, dust and other ‘objects’ Acid free paper Silicone release paper Polyester wadding Polypropylene containers Plastazote (closed cell polyethylene foams)

  29. Storage – Problem Plastics Isolate and separate ‘at risk’ from ‘deteriorating’ objects Use: Acid free paper Silicone release paper Polyester wadding Ventilated polypropylene containers Scavengers for acidic gases Charcoal cloth and zeolites Artsorb board

  30. Gabo –cellulose acetate storage with plastazote & charcoal cloth in ventilated polypropylene bin

  31. Storage – Problem Plastics Check vulnerable ‘at risk’ items at least once a year, preferably more often. Use smell and dampened indicator strip to confirm acidic off-gassing.

  32. Construction in Space ‘Two Cones’ (c.1968) Photo taken 1978

  33. Construction in Space ‘Two Cones’ (c.1968)

  34. Display –Problem Plastics • Low light - less than 100 lux • Ventilated plinth covers • Allow at least 72 hours for plinth paint to dry before covering

  35. Labelling Avoid solvent based inks, paints and isolating layers. Avoid adhesive tapes Avoid rubber bands Use tie on labels with cotton tape Use soft pencil (inside objects)

  36. Cleaning To remove dust and contaminants Cleaning causes damage – both mechanical and chemical Decide on a balance between appearance and risk of damage Avoid solvents, eg alcohols, acetone, cellulose thinners, cleaning fluids Use soft dry lint free cloths, eg microfibre For stubborn marks only, use water to dampen cloth and dry immediately

  37. Other plastic formats Fabrics – costumes and accessories - provide supports, isolate PVC’s Photograhic – archival quality storage materials New media: videos, tapes, disks – a management policy is essential for maintenance and migration.

  38. UK conservation supplies Conservation by Design www.conservation-by-design.co.uk Preservation equipment www.preservationequipment.com To find a conservator- www.conservationregister.com Book- ‘Plastics, collecting and conserving’ Quye & Williamson Article -Scott Williams – Care of Plastics; Malignant Plastics – 8 pages –google it or… http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/waac/wn/wn24/wn24-1/wn24-102.html

  39. Care Summary • Know what you’ve got – survey & record

  40. Care Summary • Know what you’ve got – survey & record • Keep in clean, cool, dry stable conditions

  41. Care Summary • Know what you’ve got – survey & record • Keep in clean, cool, dry stable conditions • Avoid light

  42. Care Summary • Know what you’ve got – survey & record • Keep in clean, cool, dry stable conditions • Avoid light • Isolate CN, CAc, PVC’s,

  43. Care Summary • Know what you’ve got – survey & record • Keep in clean, cool, dry stable conditions • Avoid light • Isolate CN, CAc, PVC’s, • Monitor

  44. Care Summary • Know what you’ve got – survey & record • Keep in clean, cool, dry stable conditions • Avoid light • Isolate CN, CAc, PVC’s, • Monitor • Keep on collecting and researching

  45. Jim Lambie Tate Britain 2001

  46. 3D Documentation of Plastic Sculptures by Naum Gabo in Tate’s Collection A Project Funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation

  47. Gabo Construction on a Line (1937-8) Undated photo c.1940’s Tateversion

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