On 26 and 27 November, the Riga Monuments Agency, in cooperation with the Art Academy of Latvia and the Institute for Restoration and Materials Research of the Art Academy of Latvia, will organise an international conference entitled ‘Between Materials and Decision: research, restoration and preservation of cultural heritage’.
The conference will take place at the Art Academy of Latvia, 13 Kalpaka Boulevard, building k-2. Working languages: Latvian and English.
The preservation of cultural heritage is closely linked to the understanding of the materials from which cultural monuments, works of art and other historical objects are made. Material ageing is an inevitable process, influenced by environmental pollution, climate conditions, storage environment, daily care and also restoration methods used in the past. The preservation of cultural heritage for future generations requires knowledge-based and carefully assessed decisions.
The conference will focus on the cultural heritage conservation process as a whole – from the study of materials and their history, identification and analysis of degradation processes, to the selection of conservation strategies, planning and implementation of restoration works. At the same time, issues related to the preservation of authenticity, restoration ethics and professional decision-making will be discussed.
The conference is intended as an interdisciplinary platform where conservators, restorers, art and architecture historians, material scientists, museum specialists and other professionals working in the field of cultural heritage will meet.
Participants are invited to submit presentation topics and summaries on topics:
- processes of ageing and degradation of materials;
- the impact of the environment and climate on cultural heritage;
- research of historical materials and technologies;
- preservation and restoration methods and materials;
- authenticity, restoration ethics and decision-making;
- preventive conservation, monitoring and long-term care.
The topics and summaries of the papers (up to 4,000 characters) must be submitted by October 25. Contact person: Agnese Strautiņa, e-mail conference@lma.lv.
Information prepared by: Antra Gabre, Project Coordinator, External Communication Division, Riga City Council, e-mail: antra.gabre@riga.lv