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Study of the pictorial techniques and conservation problems in the Portuguese contemporary art based on an analysis of paintings from a group of artists
PhD thesis in Conservation of Paintings by Ana Cudell
Expected date of completion: December 2010
The continuous search for new aesthetical results by contemporary artists led to a total freedom of expression, which excludes many predefined criteria not only on the use of materials but also in the execution techniques. The introduction of new materials, which sometimes are unusual and incompatible and the combination of many of them in the same work can be complex issues that contribute for a rapid degradation of the paintings.
Several case studies of works of art of the most relevant period of five contemporary Portuguese painters will take place selecting preferably the ones on canvas support.
The research will be based on a multidisciplinary approach supported by scientific analysis and by an active collaboration with the artists. The emphasis will be on the materials identification, the recording of artists’ practises and interviews with audiovisual support. Samples of some materials that can be used as standards will be collected on the artists’ studios.
Bearing in mind some theoretical principles related to ethical conduct as the intent and the opinion of the artist himself, who in this matter is of special importance, and according to the development of new criteria in conservation methods of contemporary art, the aim is to identify and understand certain degradation processes that many times must be respected. As a result of this the outcome can origin an increase in the concept of the ephemeral.
Objectives
The main goal is to acquire a broad knowledge about the materials, techniques and creative processes of the selected artists in order to obtain information for proper conservation actions.
More specifically the study aims
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To identify and to register the working processes;
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To understand the artist intent and his point of view;
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To understand the creative process and the artist choice of materials;
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To recognize the artist perspective regarding the preservation of his works;
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To compare old practices with current ones in order to understand the artist development;
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To diagnose the state of conservation of selected works to identify causes and types of damage;
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To predict possible future degradations;
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To advise preventive conservation recommendations.
Methodology
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Bibliographical research concerning the conservation of contemporary art and the history of art in the 20th and 21st centuries;
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Research in archives, galleries and bookstores of documents, periodical publications, exhibition catalogues, referring the selected artists;
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Research of the selected artist works in public and private collections;
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Scientific analysis of the paintings;
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Recording of the interviews with the artists and their working processes using video and photography;
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Research and analysis of samples of relevant materials;
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Interviews to curators, critics, art historians, gallery owners and museum directors, with works from the selected artists.
Ana Cudell is completing the PhD thesis at the Escola das Artes, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto, Portugal
CITAR – Research Center for Science and Technology in Art
Email:
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Supervisors:
Prof. Dra. Ana Calvo (Escola das Artes, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Porto)
Prof Dr. António João Cruz (Escola Superior de Tecnologia de Tomar)
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