Looking
after old and fragile objects is a fight against time and decay. Conservators-restorers
are the specialists who look after the National Gallery’s collections. Their
job is to preserve the precious objects for the present and the future
generations. They investigate artworks, they try to determine their composition
and making technique, the causes of decay, and to find out the best ways to
conserve and display them.
The
exhibition will present the profession and its very diverse work. It will guide
you through selected tasks which follow the typical process of dealing with an artwork
from the arrival in the restorer's studio to the exhibition. You will be able
to observe and exam paintings under different light angles and light sources. The
rich photographic documentation that follows the interventions/treatments of
artworks reveals individual techniques for the preservation of various
materials.
To the tasks
of the conservator-restorer preventive conservation also belongs which stems
from the principle that prevention is better than cure. Recognizing and
avoiding agents of deterioration typical of the museum environment help slow
down the decay, prevent damage, and create the most appropriate conditions for
the preservation of artworks.
Come and
follow the path of artworks from the restoration studio to the exhibition room and
discover the work of conservators-restorers in the National Gallery, look
through their eyes, learn about their decisions and solutions. The exhibition
will be accompanied by a brochure on the care for artworks.
Authors
Tina Buh, Andrej Hirci, Simona Škorja, Mihael Pirnat, Martina Vuga
Coordination
Martina Vuga
Documentary video
Andrej Hirci, Tina Buh: Čiščenje s kapilarnim vlekom
Tina Buh, Martina Vuga: Karel VI.
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Exhibition opening, video
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Narodni dom Gallery
Cankarjeva 20
1000, Ljubljana
24 October 2018 – 10 March 2019