Nov 2006–Jan 2007 - Preview

Conservator’s CornerBY REBECCA PAVITTPACIFIC CONSERVATORSWWW.FINEARTCONSERVE.COMOne World One HopeThe treatment of a monumental wall hanging designed by Joe AverageIn 1996, Vancouver hosted the International AidsConference. The central visual icon of that historic event was a29 x 32 foot hanging designed by Joe Average.Just prior to installation, the hanging was sprayed withbromide salt fire retardant which, when dry, crystallized on thesurface, obscuring the image. This was largely removed byflushing the quilt with water – work was done on blue tarps ina specially rented parking lot in Vancouver. One can onlyimagine the anxiety surrounding this last minute scramble tohave the quilt presentable and installed on schedule. But thefinished result was worth all of the work. Joe Average wasvisibly moved when he recalled seeing the quilt spotlighted inthe darkened hall at opening ceremonies.In 2006, Canada once again hosted the International AidsConference, this time in Toronto. The quilt was to be afeatured display at the event but, when it was removed fromstorage, dusty grey-white stains were found to cover much ofthe fabric. The quilt must be cleaned and readied for display.Chemical tests showed that though the grey-white materialcontained some bromide salt, it was mainly miscellaneousdust and dirt that likely attached itself to the still damp quiltduring its wash in the parking lot and its installation and deinstallationat GM Place. After some experimentation it wasfound that the material was best removed by vacuuming, andthen brushing residual stains with a semi-stiff brush andvacuuming again. A small Eureka vacuum cleaner, with asecondary “HEPA” like filter was purchased for the job, as wasa special soft bristle cleaning head. Soft tooth and dustingbrushes were also essential tools for this job.Size made it impossible to unfold the quilt entirely. Instead,it was worked on in sections, on the floor of the basementrecreation room of St. Paul’s Anglican Church in Vancouver.Because it was necessary to step on the quilt to reach all partsof it, shoes were removed and a large stock-pile of clean sockskept on handAfter cleaning, an underlay of unsized sheeting was made,to help with storing and handling the quilt. Buckledpolypropylene straps to hold the quilt when folded and rolledwere also made, as was a Tyvek and Velcro outer wrap toprotect the piece when traveling and in storage. The quilt wasproudly displayed in Toronto in all its newly cleaned glory.Many thanks to the Dr. Peter Foundation for funding the treatment, and for care-takingthis unique icon of AIDS awareness.Conservator’s Corner articles are archived on-line at: www.preview-art.com.NEXT ISSUE: The structural repair of artwork.Wall hanging at the International AidsConference, 1996Brushing resistant accretionsVolunteer with vacuum50 PREVIEW