Conservation
Conservation science refers to the treatment of artworks that prevents additional deterioration and preserves them more effectively.
For scientific treatment and verification, such as material analysis, the process requires knowledge in chemistry in addition to art history.
Today, conservation of modern and contemporary artworks call for innovative approaches, demanding new purposes and meanings for art conservation and restoration.
What is a conservation environment?
The term ‘conservation environment’ refers to a specific environment necessary for extending the life expectancy of artworks at their maximum. Creating conservation environment in storage and display requires controlling over physicochemical factors such as temperature, humidity, light, and airborne pollutant, and biological factors such as pests and fungus. Desirable conservation environment may vary depending on properties of each artwork but in general, the following conditions need to be met.
Temperature & humidity
In general, high humidity causes sagging, dimples and mold while low humidity causes brittle and cracked surface.
Although the mediums and materials make some differences, it is recommended to keep artwork under the storage and display environment of temperature between 18 and 22℃, and relative humidity 50 between 70%.
Illuminance
Excessive light exposure may bleach or discolor Korean paintings or oil paintings whose surface made from paper or fabric because fugitive dyes and colorants are deteriorated.
Lighting control is necessary for preventing irrevocable damages.
Meanwhile, artworks made from bronze, metal or glass are insensitive to strong lighting. Recommended illuminance by materials is as follows: artworks made from metals and stones require 750~1500 Lx; oil paintings require under 150 Lx; dyes and engravings require below 80 Lx; oriental paintings and watercolor paintings require under 100 Lx; and films require under 150 Lx.
Harmful gases
Deteriorated or oxidized artworks are preventable through regular measuring of harmful airborne pollutants, such as sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, ammonia, ozone, formaldehyde, and radon.
