Coming soon
workshop on “Curative & Preventive Conservation of Textiles”
IIS (Deemed to be University), Jaipur
Department of Fashion and Textiles
“Curative & Preventive Conservation of Textiles”
Date : 20 & 21 September, 2019
Workshop : Two day National Workshop on “Curative & Preventive Conservation of Textiles”
Department of Fashion & Textiles organized two day National Workshop on “Curative and Preventive Conservation of Textiles” in collaboration with Textiles and Clothing Research Centre (TCRC). The main objective of the workshop was to bring together experts from the field of Textile conservation to give hand on training for better upkeep of artifacts. This workshop was conducted with the help of presentations and practical exercises. There were 53 participants from all over the India. Besides Rajasthan, there were participants from Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
The workshop began with the inaugural session seeking the blessings of almighty followed by lighting the lamp. Guests were given a formal welcome.
Resource persons of the workshop were Dr. Anamika Pathak, Founder Chairperson, Textile and Clothing Research Centre (TCRC). Dr. Simmi Bhagat, Associate Professor, Lady Irvin Collage, Founder Member TCRC, New Delhi. Ms. Smita Singh, Textile Conservation Consultant, Founder Member and Chief Editor TCRC, New Delhi.
On day one workshop began with an inaugural ceremony. In which Dr. Ashok Gupta, Vice Chancellor, IIS (Deemed to be University) Jaipur extended warm welcome to all the resource persons, delegates and participants and threw light on the importance and relevance of the workshop. After this Dr. Anamika Pathak highlighted the importance of preserving textiles for historic interest. She also explained the aesthetic appeal and cultural significance the textiles. She explained role of textile as heirloom, art and craft. She mentioned Rajasthan as the “Garh” of textiles because of its rich heritage and culture. In her presentation she showed collection of textiles of Museum through pictorial presentation to give exposure towards cultural heritage.
After this session, Dr. Simmi Bhagat explained the meaning of conservation with reference to textile as cultural property. She focused on restoration as a third branch of conservation after preventive and curative treatment. She emphasized on different factors of deterioration like natural and manmade and discussed the factors that cause damages through an example of Calico Museum Ahmedabad. Sensitivity of textiles and vulnerability to decay when stored or displayed in inappropriate environmental conditions was also explained.
Thereafter Dr.Anamika Pathak briefed the audience about the handling and movement of textile objects. She described the materials used in handling of textiles like aluminium with wooden edges, PVC tubes of different dimensions according to the products and for storage of the object like flat keeping, framing, mounting and card box.
Another session was taken by Ms. Smita Singh. The key highlights were on the different factors and causes of deterioration like mechanical, physical and chemical. She gave the condition report for textiles to the participants for getting an idea about the practical procedures of documentation of textiles. This report is used by the conservators in museum to keep record of the objects. She also explained the concept of reactions which can be the cause of degradation of textiles like photochemical and oxidative reactions in the presence of light, humidity and temperature. She also explained how condition reports are produced after detailed examination of the object.
The second day of the workshop begins with the session conducted by Ms. Smita Singh. She addressed on analysis and testing methods for textiles like weave analysis, stitch analysis and digital methods. She explained the method of handling objects which includes folding with the concept of tissue paper padding to resist the object from creases.
This was followed by an overview of curative treatment of textiles. She explained that there are two types of cleaning i.e. mechanical and solvent cleaning were explained. She emphasized the selection of appropriate cleaning method to be used for conservation of textiles either in museum or in personal wardrobe.
She explained the concept of cleaning through pictorial presentation, and demonstration was given. She also showcased the specimen of adhesive coating to the participants for better understanding of object preservation. She also demonstrated the digital tool known as dinolight microscope which is used to take pictures of minute details of the object. This was followed by practical exercise where participants used sponge, brush and vacuum cleaner for cleaning purpose. Thereafter Dr. Simmi Bhagat took a session on stabilization of textiles. In this session she explained the basic stabilization of textile conservation stitches. She demonstrated various stitches and participants tried those stitches on samples.
The sum up the workshop was very useful and meaningful for the participants and delegates. With the help of practical experiences participants were able to understand the importance of valuable textile heritage, handling the museum artefacts and basic curative conservation techniques for upkeep of the textiles artefacts for the posterity.
Prof. Radha Kashyap
Head, Department of Fashion & Textiles