Conservation and Restoration of Paper, Photography, Books and Archive Materials
Venue | 101
Fokuc C
The subject of study Conservation and Restoration of Paper, Photography, Books and Archive Materials was established at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna in 1966 and constitutes the first training model of its kind in this field at an academic level.
Today, studies in conservation and restoration of paper, book, photographs and archival materials concentrate on the conservation of paper-based objects, or more precisely, paper-related materials from all art historical periods. The spectrum ranges from prints and drawings to paintings on various supports, including cardboard, parchment and ivory; ethnographic art will be treated as well as objects deriving from artisan handicraft and daily use.
Consequently, new challenges arise that go beyond the more common issues of paper conservation to include the treatment of complex material structures, working with three-dimensional objects and adopting new approaches to non-European art and ephemeral everyday objects. Furthermore, students are exposed to archival materials and the fundamentals of preventive conservation.
Competence in the area of collection survey and maintenance as well as in exhibition management are accordingly imparted. The study focus also encompasses an introduction to the conservation and restoration of photographic materials and books, specialisations which are made possible (are augmented by) through numerous cooperative programmes with libraries, educational centres and other institutions which concentrate in the respective fields.
In particular within the field of book conservation, a cooperation agreement was successfully implemented with the conservation department of the Austrian National Library (head: Mag. Christa Hofmann). Other close collaborations were initiated with the University Library of Graz (head of conservation department: DI Manfred Mayer) und the Austrian State Archives (head of conservation department: Dr. Erna Pilch). By integrating experts with various research focuses as well as specialists with long standing experience in the field of book conservation, we are able to ensure to keep an excellent standard of education.