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On November 2–5, 1998, a professional development workshop,
designed to tweak the capabilities and confidence levels of those
conservators struggling with vats of smelly artifacts, was held
at CCI in Ottawa. Twenty-two conservators, students, and technicians
attended. We were on a mission, drawn to Ottawa from such far-flung
locations as Boston, Cairo, Mexico City, Eugene, Vancouver, Reykjavik,
and Hull...
We were not disappointed. The schedule was packed, a veritable
waterlogged Genesis. Day 1: wood chemistry and identification, plus
a review of current international treatments for wood. Day 2: an
explanation, step-by-step, equation-by-equation, of PEGCON, which
has now been demystified for at least 21 of us. Day 3: iron and
composite materials. Day 4: a smorgasbord of textiles, basketry,
baleen, rubber, and leather.
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Each day had a related laboratory practicum. These were particularly
valuable. There was something for everyone, no matter how experienced.
Little tips to aid in identifying wood under a microscope, or determining
moisture content, or photographing wet surfaces. Other sessions
covered methods of determining PEG concentration during a stepped
soaking, and selections of pH papers and meters. Despite being in
well-equipped, glamorous surroundings, the course emphasized the
simple, safe, and low-tech approaches. Laboratory time also included
a tour of the new Parks Canada wet labs nearby.
All the teaching staff from CCI (including Cliff Cook, Malcolm
Bilz, David Grattan, Nancy Binnie, Greg Young, and Tara Grant) were
very approachable and accommodating. For many of us, it was an opportunity
to finally connect a publication with a face. Additionally, course
participants were called on to contribute informally during working
lunches. For our group, topics included problems drying mushy ceramics,
a reevaluation of wet leather treated with castor oil, and a case
study of documenting and treating a composite shot locker.
Judy Logan should be commended for the time and effort that went
into designing this course. The handouts alone were dynamite: a
3" binder chock full of lecture notes, charts, manufacturers' technical
sheets, and related IIC-CG reprints. Courses such as this help us
to standardize our techniques and encourage an exchange of information.
The seminar was particularly useful for those of us who are geographically
isolated, professionally misunderstood by colleagues, too impoverished
or distracted to go to every WOAM meeting, and/or shaky in our techniques.
It was a lot to cover in four days. Perhaps not enough time was
allowed for down-time, and the use of the CCI library and online
search capability. The course focused on wood, and less time was
spent on the more exotic and problematic organics.
Enough interest has been generated that CCI is planning to repeat
the course in April, 1999, and foreseeably again as needed. The
registration fee may seem stiff but it is worth it. Lunches, morning
coffee, and rolls (aka breakfast) were included. The CCI staff covered
transportation to and from lodging, and could suggest alternative
accommodation for those on a tight budget.
My advice—plan to come to this "waterlogged Genesis". Start
the memory-enhancing herbs now. Bring warm clothes. But on the 5th
day rest, in the CCI library.
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