Croatian Conservation Institute organized on Feb 22nd, 2017 the seminar titled Exercising Co-Decision Making 2. Preventive Conservation outside Museums at the Mimara Museum in Zagreb.
The seminar was opened by Mr. Davor Trupković, assistant to the Minister of Culture with a welcoming note, pointing out how important it is for conservators and conservators-restorers to come together, while emphasising positive experiences of collaboration in the execution of programmes. On behalf of the organizer, the gathering was addressed by Dr. Tajana Pleše, acting director of the Croatian Conservation Institute, who expressed pleasure at the great turnout of conservators of the Ministry of Culture and conservators-restorers from the Croatian Conservation Institute. Furthermore, she highlighted the topic of preventive conservation as being equally important as it was twenty years ago. It was then that the first symposium on the subject was held, also at the Mimara Museum, led by renowned British conservator Robert E. Child.
Introductory talk was presented by consultant conservator-restorer, Dr. Ksenija Škarić (Croatian Conservation Institute), who pointed out that this seminar focused on preventive conservation (non-direct action to slow down decay and prevent degradation of cultural goods) outside of museums, in historical buildings primarily designated for functions other than the preservation of cultural goods, that often lack the professional staff, thus making the efforts much more complicated and challenging in a different way.
Photo album
Tijana Annar Trputec Strčić, senior conservator-restorer (Croatian Conservation Institute) presented a talk on the subject of microclimate. The use of semi-permeable foils in the protection of cultural heritage was the topic addressed by senior conservator-restorer Orest Šuman (Croatian Conservation Institute). Neven Bradić, M.A., senior consultant conservator (Conservation Department in Zagreb) talked about the impact the heating systems in churches have on movable cultural goods. Miroslav Pavličić, M.A., senior conservator-restorer (Croatian Conservation Institute) relayed experiences from practice about the in situ conservation of wooden furnishings. Gordana Car, senior conservator-restorer (Croatian Conservation Institute), instructed us on the irreversible damage to artworks caused by radiation (visible lighting, UV, IR) and pests, and how to try to prevent it. Conservation in the field that includes inspection, removal of dirt and storing was the topic presented by consultant conservator-restorer Sandra Lucić Vujičić (Croatian Conservation Institute). Damir Sabalić, senior consultant conservator (Conservation Department in Rijeka) shared his experiences in the preventive protection of library materials in the Primorje and Gorski Kotar County. Žana Matulić Bilač, consultant conservator-restorer (Croatian Conservation Institute) spoke of the synergy of approach and diversity of activities in applying them by pointing to examples of the good practice of collaboration between the Croatian Conservation Institute, Conservation Department in Split and Arts Academy in Split. Ivana Svedružić Šeparović, senior consultant conservator (Conservation Department in Split), added to this by presenting in more detail some of these joint programmes.
The presentations were followed by the final discussion and guidelines for further efforts were agreed. The third instalment of the Exercising Co-Decision Making seminar, it was announced, will be held in Ludbreg by the end of the year.