A R T L A B March 6-17 70 Kintore Ave Adelaide Free Bookings essential

Vicki Humphrey of Artlab will give illustrated lectures that will focus on the materials and implements used to produce and distribute the written word. Preservation issues will be a core theme with examples of conservation treatments, discussion of preservation of information vs. preservation of formats and very importantly, the ethics involved in just what is preserved, by whom and for what purpose. How important is conservation of art works in the formation of cultural identity and what changes in practices are we now seeing? Artlab Australia specialises in the scientific conservation and preservation of works of art and items of historical, cultural and personal value. Established in 1985, Artlab is located on the North Terrace precinct between the Art Gallery and the Migration Museum. Twenty-five people work at Artlab, most of them graduates of the Conservation of Cultural Materials program, University of Canberra, and many have international experience. Artlab has laboratories specialising in the treatment and care of a wide range of material including works on paper, photographs, paintings, textiles, outdoor sculpture and decorative features in heritage buildings. Their conservators also provide advice on storage and display, innovative solutions for building climate control and environmental monitoring, as well as preventative conservation services and disaster response training. Artlab's clients include galleries, museums, regional cultural centres, churches, Aboriginal art and craft centres, offices, homes and schools both locally and nationally. Bookings are essential. Contact details: tel: (08) 8207-7520 fax: (08) 8207-7529 email: artlab@senet.com.au

Lectures [ Vicki Humphrey ] The Written Word Chemistry of Ink and of Paper Historically - "recipes" for ink and paper. An historic and cultural overview, with reference to the introduction of technologies into Europe from the far east through the middle east, via the silk route. The present and into the future: the impact of technological developments on paper quality and ink manufacture -- from the nineteenth century and into the future. Monday, March 6 Lecture 2pm to 3pm Tour 3pm to 4pm Monday, March 13 Lecture 10am to 11am Tour 11am to 12noon Materials for Mark Making Implements and Surfaces for Writing Implements and surfaces used by different cultures, e.g., in eastern calligraphy, aboriginal art, embroidered samplers. (brush, needle and thread, pen, engraving tools, sticks, etc on paper, wall, fabric, metal). The relationship between the implements and surfaces used and the effects created. Due to cultural cross fertilisation we have an extensive "palette" at our disposal. The future -- many effects can be simulated on computers. Will this lead to a loss of diversity/skills? Wednesday, March 8 Lecture 2pm to 3pm Tour 3pm to 4pm Wednesday, March 15 Lecture 10am to 11am Tour 11am to 12noon Preservation of the Book Different forms of the book, from scrolls to the so-called perfect bindings. Challenges facing the book conservator in ensuring optimum access to information while preserving historic and cultural integrity of the actual items. Is bedtime reading the last frontier for the book, or will computers eventually invade that territory? Friday, March 10 Lecture 2pm to 3pm Tour 3pm to 4pm Friday, March 17 Lecture 10am to 11am Tour 11am to 12noon