The Modern and Contemporary Art Research Initiative is a program started by the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI). It began in 2007 in response to the variety of new materials and technologies being used by contemporary artists in their work, and the lack of known conservation treatments for these new materials. This area was seen as a gap in the field of conservation, but also posed unique challenges when considering the intention of the artist and the physical aging that their materials might endure. According to Thomas F. Reese, "Conservators...must enter into the critical spirit of the works themselves if they are to save and transmit not merely decontextualized fragments but their essence to the future."Reese, T. F. (1999). Andy Goldsworthy's New Ruins. In Corzo, M. A. (Ed.), Mortality/Immortality: The Legacy of 20th-Century Art (pp. 25-34). Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Trust.
This program consists of various individual research projects that are looking to the conservation issue surrounding modern paints, plastics, and outdoor sculpture, among other areas as well. The Getty Conservation Institute works collaboratively with other cultural institutions and conservation institutes on these projects, and states its goal for the program as being to making "significant and lasting impact on the field in this area."Modern and Contemporary Art Research Initiative. (October 2013). The Getty Conservation Institute. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu.conservation/our_projects/science/modcon/overview.html. The GCI is able to take on this project thanks to its role within the larger J. Paul Getty Trust - the Institute has access to its broader resources, and has the opportunity to choose projects that best serve its mission: "to advance conservation practice in the visual arts, including objects, collections, architecture and sites."Sharpe, E. (2015 September 11). The Getty: 30 years of changing the world. The Art Newspaper. Retrieved from http://theartnewspaper.com/news/conservation/the-getty-30-years-of-changing-the-world/.
Why research modern and contemporary art?
Because contemporary artists are now using a countless number of different materials, there is a need for research into how these materials will age and change with climate and temperature fluctuations. Since artists are constantly creating their work in new ways, research is required to keep up with determining treatment for all of these new materials. Many artists today (and in the recent past) have used products that are commercially produced, and therefore, their formulas are carefully protected by the manufacturers. Conservators have a unique task in determining the nature of these materials, and also collecting samples to have available for when the product is no longer available. An example of this: house paint. It has been determined that a number of modern materials are essentially unstable and show signs of deterioration much sooner than more traditional materials have. Some works have degraded so much that they are deemed worthy of storage only, and after a relatively short period of time. For this reason, there is a bit of a rush on figuring out how to best prevent this degradation, and to better track the changes that occur. Time based media art: works of art that include electronics pose a particular challenge to conservators in that there is the impending threat that equipment or software will become obsolete. Conservators need to determine the best way to update the works of art to continue to make them viewable, while still maintaining the artist's intention for the work. Many contemporary works of art are based more on a concept than on the physical object itself. Like the other challenges conservators are facing, this factor, more so than earlier works, forces the conservator to take the artist's intentions into account when determining the best course of treatment for a work. Building off of the previous point, there is serious debate about whether or not the artist and/or the artist's estate should be included in conservation decisions. The issue poses ethical and legal implications, and the Getty has deemed this as a topic that needs further discussion and clarification.Modern and Contemporary Art Research Initiative. (October 2013). The Getty Conservation Institute. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu.conservation/our_projects/science/modcon/overview.html.
Main Goals of the Modern and Contemporary Art Research Initiative
According to the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), those participating in this research initiative are intending to address the aforementioned concerns surrounding the conservation of modern and contemporary art in the following ways: Conducting in-depth scientific studies into the synthetic materials being used today in an effort to better the understanding of how these modern materials behave. Using a combination of scientific testing and critical assessment to develop and evaluate approaches to scientific conservation treatments. Utilizing case studies that draw on collections of the collaborating institutions to gain a better understanding of the materials and methods of particular artists. Organizing workshops for conservators to facilitate the transfer of scientific data into applicable conservation knowledge. By organizing symposium meetings, debates, and publications, to continue the discussion on ethical and legal issues facing many conservators of contemporary art. Using publications and web-based distribution, bettering the sharing of research ad information in this area with others in the field.Ibid. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/science/modcon/overview.html.
Current major research projects
Though there are several challenges that face conservators with regard to modern and contemporary art, the CGI has focused its resources on three major areas that are in need of further research and information sharing. Because these materials and types of art objects are still rather new to the field, conservators have worked to identify the areas that require the most immediate attention. Currently, the three major projects focus on modern paints, plastics, and outdoor sculpture.Modern and Contemporary Art Research Initiative. (2013) The Getty Conservation Institute. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/science/modcon/overview.html.
Modern Paints Project
The Modern Paints Project is a collaborative research project that began in response to the various new materials that contemporary artists are using in their work. Major collaborators include the Tate London, The National Gallery in Washington, DC, the Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute, and several other international and domestic museums and cultural institutions. After 1920, cellulose nitrate was successfully converted into a form that could be used as a paint binder. Following this, the paints that artists were using were constantly changing and were composed of synthetic binders. While these various paints were utilized by several artists in the 20th century and up to the present day, the knowledge regarding how well any of these modern paints would withstand the passing of time is still extremely limited. Research is needed to determine the extent of the probable deterioration.Learner, T., Schilling, M. & de la Rie, R. (2002). Modern Paints: A New Collaborative Research Project. Conservation Perspectives, 17(3). Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/newsletters/17_3/news_in_cons1.html. In 2004, Thomas Learner, a senior conservation scientist at the Tate, London, published the findings of his research into the types of techniques currently being used to test and learn more about the synthetic resins and materials used in many modern commercial paints.Learner, T. (2004). Analysis of Modern Paints. Los Angeles: J. Paul Getty Trust.
Goals
This project intends to increase in a significant and valuable way the amount of information available to conservators on modern paints, so that those working on objects of this sort are able to make informed decisions with regard to their treatments. This in-depth research will help conservators who study the techniques of modern painters. It also aims to assist them with determining the best storage and display conditions, and also contribute significantly to the development of safe and effective cleaning methods and other treatments. In order to do this, researchers monitor the behavior of actual art objects and conduct extensive analytical testing on materials.Modern Paints. (July 2009). The Getty Conservation Institute. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/science/modpaints/.
Areas of focus
1. Assessment of analytical methods for modern paints: At the beginning of this project, there were very few methods established for identifying any of the components of modern paints, but by using several analytical techniques and scientific tests, conservators have been successful in being able to identify the binding agent, types of pigments, and additives in modern paints. Through this testing, the researchers have been able to select a number of testing techniques that are commonly used to make these identifications, giving them a better idea of how to move forward with future testing on objects.Modern Paints: An Assessment of Analytical Methods for Modern Paints. (July 2009). The Getty Conservation Institute. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/science/modpaints/modpaints_component1.html.
2. Study of the physical and surface properties of modern paints: Because these paints are still being identified, their physical characteristics are still somewhat unknown. This area of the project intends to determine how the newer materials will respond to changes in temperature and relative humidity. The methods for measuring these properties in changing environments are thermal analysis, mechanical analysis, and surface characterization. The main challenge here, despite the fact that almost all of the materials used are completely new, is keeping track of the huge amount of variation between paints and their physical makeups.Modern Paints: A Study of the Physical Characteristics of Modern Paints. (July 2009). The Getty Conservation Institute. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/science/modpaints/modpaints_component2.html.
3. Evaluation of cleaning methods for modern paintings: This main area of focus stems from the goal to develop an established method for cleaning modern paintings. Like the analysis of the environment responses, this area of focus consists of analytical testing to monitor any potential changes that could occur with cleaning treatments. The Tate London has worked closely with the Getty on each of these components of the project, but has played a leading role in this aspect in particular.Modern Paints: An Evaluation of Cleaning Methods for Modern Paints. (January 2009). The Getty Conservation Institute. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/science/modpaints/modpaints_component3.html.
Preservation of Plastics Project
Like the Modern Paints Project, plastics are a new medium for conservators to deal with. The composition of the material is largely unknown, and the Preservation of Plastics project aims to help conservators understand why some plastics are more unstable than others. Research is required in this area because while degradation of plastics has been an ongoing issue in museums for several years, the main cause for concern is the rapid deterioration o the material with no obvious warning sign.Preservation of Plastics. (March 2010). The Getty Conservation Institute. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/our_projects/science/plastics/index.html.
Goals