Asia-Pacific Twentieth Century Conservation Art Research Network (APTCCARN)
Online web portals for Art Conservation and Curatorial Research Workshop
Monday 23rd March & Tuesday 24th March 2009
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Project Summary
The Asia Pacific Twentieth Century Conservation Art Research Network (APTCCARN) is a collaborative effort to explore the history and preservation of twentieth-century cultural material in Asia and the Pacific. These relatively recent works of art are important in terms of national identity and memory, yet research on their preservation has not been a major focus of research in our region. Our focus on works of art made in "international" rather than "traditional" styles and techniques reveals important information about the culture and conditions in the region through the twentieth century.
Project Objectives
APTCCARN comprises of a group of researchers whose work focuses on art produced during the twentieth century in the Asia-Pacific region. This research is informed by art historical research, art curatorial practice and conservation and scientific inquiry. Arising from a previous collaborative project The Behaviour of Western Artists’ Materials in Tropical Climates. APTCCARN provides a forum for the identification and discussion of research focusing on the conservation and scientific analysis of 20th century paintings in Asia-Pacific. For its inaugural meeting held in Kuala Lumpur in June 2008, APTCCARN summarised research outcomes to date and identified projects for the next three years. The building of information systems to collect and provide data to support and expand this research was identified as an important role for APTCCARN. Issues identified included the transfer of data, building on line and at distance research archives, providing training, enabling distributed data processing, and interactive collaborations and will be addressed in the upcoming Online web portals for Art Conservation and Curatorial Research Workshop. The network will also promote initiatives between partners and other researchers and research groups, and conduct demonstration projects and training. Members are committed to the broad dissemination of research outcomes and findings in order to increase understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art in Asia-Pacific.
Project Overview
APTCCARN developed from an ARC Linkage Project The Behaviour of Western Artists' Materials in Tropical Climates (LP 0211015), which brought together researchers in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines in order to investigate Western artists materials in tropical climates through art historical studies, visual examination and scientific analysis. This team has now supported by Dr Tom Learner from the Getty Conservation Institute and Dr Bronwyn Ormsby from Tate Conservation, whose project Modern Paints developed improved methods of analysis for identifying pigments, binders and additives found in modern paints, increased understanding of the physical properties of modern paints and assessed the effects of cleaning on acrylic emulsion paints. Following discussions relating to the outcomes of The Behaviour of Western Artists' Materials in Tropical Climates project, partners have indicated the need to continue to explore the area of art materials and art making in the twentieth century in Asia.
Across Asia-Pacific there are few training opportunities in materials conservation research. Students will be encouraged to contribute research proposals as part of this inaugural meeting. With a mix of scientific, art historical and data storage and dissemination foci this project provides a fertile ground for interdisciplinary student research that will be further enhanced by the international contribution from key scholars and professionals across the six countries. These networking opportunities will greatly benefit students in their career development, providing a basis for the evolution of future research projects.
For further information contact:
Associate Professor Ana Labrador: amtlabrador@gmail.com
Associate Professor Robyn Sloggett: rjslog@unimelb.edu.au