Daly Conservation

In spring 2008 I visited the conservation labs at the Museum of Modern Art, MoMA, in New York City with Ashley Jehle and Abbie Brennan. The labs were built by Samuel Anderson Architects concurrently with the recent MoMA Expansion. I was given a tour of the labs by Paige Isaacs who is currently a third-year intern at the MoMA. Paige was king enough to show us the objects she was working on and the layout of the objects and paintings labs.

Using the NITON XLi 700 Series Environmental Analyzer

I assisted in a project while at the NMAI using a portable X-Ray Fluorescence analyzer to detect the presence of arsenic, mercury, and lead applied as pesticides on objects in the collection.

The portable XRF is non-destructive, and it gives an approximation of the amount present. A database records objects tested, using a digital image of the object to mark where it was tested, since the gun tests an area around 2cm² in size. The average number of spots tested on an object is 6. The next step in this project is going to be tagging the objects that have tested positive for the presence of pesticides.

I assisted Jae Anderson testing objects; some for an upcoming exhibit where the objects will be handled by native peoples. We needed to see if these objects are contaminated with pesticides. We also tested objects in the lab before we began working on them.

Securing beads to a bandolier bag.

Loose beads were secured to the bag using: No 15 needles and brown Gutermann CA 02776 100% polyester thread. Beads were stabilized by bringing new threads through the adjacent beads to secure them and prevent further loss. Thread was knotted and the knots were hidden under loomed bead work or on the back of the bag.