— Overview of Modern Tapestries: Literature, Techniques, and Conservation Methods

Catalog description

This course is a reading/research seminar. While the subject to be investigated will change from year to year, the goals of the course remain constant. An advanced seminar in the students’ 4th term should present a significant challenge and require original research that leads to a meaningful outcome, such as would be expected for research needed for a professional level conservation journal or professional proceedings publication. Research skills for a conservation based investigation are different than that for an art historical study. This course will focus on the special research skills and conservation resources needed to compile appropriate references for publication of a paper or creation of an original poster concerned with modern tapestry. Areas of investigation will include but not be limited to such topics as a study of the chemistry of materials used, the physical breakdown pathway typical of tapestry woven art, a historical compilation of treatment choices, special techniques used in the creation of modern tapestry, and appropriate conservation methods. An annotated bibliography as well as several presentations will be expected.