The change of the materiality of art through transports: studies on detection and discrimination of transport- and age-related damages on art works

• Applicants: Professor Dr. Christoph Krekel; Professor Dr. Wolfgang Osten
• Subject Area: Measurement Systems ; Art History
• Term: from 2011 to 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 201547731

The aim of this research project is to study and implement a precise method for three-dimensional detection and classification of transport-related damages at artworks. Due to the increase of exhibitions in private and public sectors, the amount of transportation of cultural property has increased remarkably in recent years. When transported artworks are not only damaged by accidents during handling, but also by micro changes, for example, caused by changing climatic conditions or vibrations. The interdisciplinary research project, focusses on possibilities to generate objective data for substantive changes by art transports and their causes. In the first part, this was achieved by systematically combining various sensor technologies for detecting microtopographic changes. In the proposed second phase of the project both used measurement methods are now to be further explored, coupled together and developed into a practical tool for conservation science. For the first time, the changes of art induced by transportation and other factors can be evaluated based on objective data, providing a completely new instrument for restoration documentation. Based on the data in collaboration with a renowned art transport company current standard conditions and processes of art-transport are evaluated and, where necessary, enhanced. In parallel, the shearography is to be explored in particular with regard to their influence on the work of art itself (criticality) and further optimized. Based on the results, it is intended to introduce new ways both for the assessment of damages and preventive conservation, as well as to initiate a differentiated philosophical and ethical discussion about the handling of artworks.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Volker Schaible