dk nkf - Nordisk Konservatorforbund Danmark
dk nkf - Nordisk Konservatorforbund Danmark
dk nkf - Nordisk Konservatorforbund Danmark
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paint chips that are simulated with printer’s ink, but<br />
the majority of samples were created separately and<br />
glued in place on the pages. They may be actual<br />
samples of paint. Very little has been published<br />
on this subject. It is a prime candidate for further<br />
research.<br />
Displaying repainted industrial<br />
artifacts<br />
Accepting that a recreated finish is a modern<br />
creation, made with modern materials, modern<br />
equipment and modern techniques and based on<br />
questionable evidence, we should reassess the way<br />
we display refinished artifacts.<br />
The following guidelines are suggested for the<br />
display of “like new” artifacts.<br />
1. Display repainted industrial<br />
artifacts outdoors<br />
There are a number of compelling reasons for<br />
recommending this approach.<br />
a. The finish is a replica and does not merit close<br />
scrutiny. In an outdoor setting, no one will<br />
examine the artifact at close range.<br />
b. Shiny, “like-new” machines make a stronger<br />
impression outdoors than indoors. They come<br />
closer to recreating the original experience that<br />
the first users or operators had with the artifact,<br />
and as such, they evoke strong feelings of<br />
nostalgia.<br />
Figure 4 An aircraft plant in 1942. Museums might consider<br />
recreating settings like this for partially refinished artifacts.<br />
Source: Library of Congress. Call Number: LC-USW36-238<br />
c. Repainted objects shed water and are easy to<br />
clean.<br />
d. In the event of damage or deterioration, the<br />
modern finish is easily renewed with no loss of<br />
historical materials or information.<br />
e. The outdoor setting is authentic in terms of<br />
lighting. Artificial light is a recreation of<br />
natural light. The appearance of sunlight has<br />
not changed drastically in the past century.<br />
Showing a replica finish in natural light is at<br />
least half way to an authentic experience. It is<br />
preferable to showing an approximation of a<br />
finish in an approximation of natural light.<br />
2. Do not display repainted and<br />
original artifacts beside each other<br />
The two kinds of finish do not complement each<br />
other in close proximity. The repainted artifacts<br />
look overly new and artificial, while the originals<br />
look unfairly shabby and dull. They detract from<br />
each other.<br />
3. Display repainted industrial<br />
artifacts in historically appropriate<br />
indoor displays<br />
If a shiny, “like-new” object must be displayed<br />
indoors, it should be exhibited in an appropriate<br />
setting, such as a factory, showroom or repair shop.<br />
An automobile in “showroom condition” should be<br />
displayed in a salesroom setting. A newly painted<br />
airplane should be shown in a repair shop or<br />
factory.<br />
4. Use historically authentic lighting<br />
in displays<br />
Human vision is a matter of perceiving light.<br />
Therefore, the finish on an artifact should be seen<br />
in authentic lighting conditions. Shiny, “likenew”<br />
paint jobs should be seen in lighting that<br />
approximates the settings listed above: sodium<br />
or mercury lighting for a factory setting, and a<br />
combination of incandescent and natural light for<br />
a showroom or repair shop. Modern museum track<br />
lights or color-balanced fluorescent lighting may be<br />
inappropriate.<br />
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