Department Chair

Patrick Ravines

Date of Award

8-2018

Access Control

Open Access

Degree Name

Art Conservation, M.A., C.A.S.

Department

Art Conservation Department

Advisor

Theresa J. Smith

Advisor

Gary L. Frost

Department Home page

https://artconservation.buffalostate.edu

Abstract

A risk assessment was conducted on a collection of 135 works of visual poetry designated as "poetry objects" in the Poetry Collection at University at Buffalo Libraries. A survey instrument was created to allow for identification of existing condition problems in order to predict future issues and quantify risks of damage resulting from three sources: 1) method of storage, 2) presence of chemically unstable materials, and 3) user handling. The results of the risk assessment were summarized and provided to The Poetry Collection along with recommendations for reducing risk to the collection. Method of storage was determined to be the most significant contributor to risk, largely due to lack of protective housing for most objects, which were experiencing shelf wear, light-induced damage, and distortion from stacking. Many objects were enclosed within protective housings created by their authors, but often these housings were becoming damaged in storage themselves, and some were causing damage to their enclosed contents. One such object, Chanccani Quipu (2012) by Cecilia Vicuña, was selected for further study and conservation treatment at conducted at Buffalo State College. Published by Granary Books in an edition of 32, Chanccani Quipu included a box with a malfunctioning component that was causing damage to the textile piece stored inside. Treatment was performed on both the box and the textile piece, and a new housing was created to protect the entire object in storage.

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