Plastic Identification Workshop

The workshop will be led by internationally recognised plastics specialists Olivia van Rooijen and Carien van Aubel. Its aim is to enable professionals responsible for art and heritage collections across disciplines to independently identify plastic materials within their collections. A key focus is the transfer of practical knowledge to support long-term, autonomous material identification. During the first two days of the workshop, a wide range of plastics will be introduced, their specific characteristics discussed, and participants will be trained in the use of the digital Plastic Identification Tool as well as the accompanying physical toolkit containing testing materials. Participants will gain extensive insight into different types of plastics and their material properties. The workshop concludes with a survey day at the storage facilities of the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Weltmuseum Wien, and Theatermuseum, where the acquired knowledge will be applied directly through the identification of plastic artworks from the collections.

Please note: Participation is limited. All available places have already been allocated and registration is closed.