AIC's 43rd Annual Meeting

When Miami-Dade County requested a conservation assessment of their collection of African textiles in 2013, the works had already been subject to decades of non-ideal storage and display conditions. After acquisition, the works were prepared for display by stretching over wooden strainers with the overhanging edges both stapled and taped in position. When taken off display, this mounting was preserved while in storage, which enabling stacking and leaning of the pieces. Throughout this time, both while on view and in storage, they were also subject to multiple insect infestations and excessive exposure to full-spectrum light. Recognizing the seriousness of the collection's condition, Miami-Dade County decided to have the works conserved in preparation for reinstallation. However future plans will continue to present challenges to their long-term stability. The textiles will be displayed at the Richard E. Gerstein Justice Building, the county's main courthouse, for a general audience. Proposed locations for the works include narrow hallways and large waiting rooms, all with fluorescent lighting. Given the gravity of the building's primary function, maintaining ideal conditions for the display of even very sensitive artworks will necessarily be an afterthought, not a priority. In light of the collection's history, current condition and future plans, what is a reasonable objective for its conservation and preservation? What is the conservato's obligation to the collection, considering its purpose and role, its various values and the current standard of care to which it is accustomed? Rosa Lowinger & Associates has been working with Material Culture Conservation and Miami-Dade County to answer such questions, in order to develop and execute a realistic conservation plan for the collection. This talk will outline the process of setting conservation priorities and working to meet them when operating with limited influence over the daily care of a collection. This project addresses not only treatment of each textile, including stabilization, cleaning and restoration, but also designing a display plan for long-term exhibition in the conditions described above, mounting the textiles and providing guidelines for storage and long-term care.