Course Announcement

Organizers

PC-LatAm

Background
Over the past 25 years, interest for Japanese paper conservation tradition has been growing within the Latin America paper conservation community, as well as Portugal and Spain. The main effort was focused on understanding the Japanese techniques, materials and tools. This knowledge was mostly acquired by conservation professionals who attended the Japanese Paper Conservation Course in Japan, jointly organized by the National research Institute for Cultural Properties and ICCROM, or by receiving training in small workshops taught by some colleagues who have had the opportunity to study abroad and had been in contact with Japanese professionals.

Experience has shown the importance of understanding more deeply materials and tools as well as the correct application of Japanese paper conservation techniques before attempting to incorporate them into Latin America paper-based collections and being able to adapt them to the Latin American context.

This is why, and considering the number of applications and the great interest shown by the participants in the three preceding years, combined with the need to expand and consolidate knowledge in this field, for the fourth consecutive year, the CNCPC-INAH, the National Research Institute for Cultural Properties in Japan and ICCROM are partnering again to offer the “International Course on Paper Conservation in Latin America. Meeting East”, with the generous contribution of INAH and the Japanese National Research Institute for Cultural Properties, Tokyo, Japan.

The course

  • The purpose of this course is to provide basic concepts of Japanese materials and techniques for paper conservation, and improve participant understanding of the basic characteristics of the Japanese paper tradition.
  • The course also aims to build bridges between Japanese and Western paper conservation traditions, and to assess the applicability of the Japanese approach, materials and techniques to non-Japanese cultural heritage, with particular reference to Latin American paper-based cultural heritage.
  • Finally, the course promotes the exchange of experiences and information on paper conservation in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Methodology
The course is an intensive two and a half week programme that combines theory and practice, through lectures and practical work. High-level interaction is encouraged in the course, with participants playing an important part.

Participants
The international course is open to a maximum of 9 participants working in Latin America and the Caribbean. Consideration will also be given to candidates working in Spain and Portugal. At least five years of working experience in paper conservation is required. Preference will be given to candidates who are also involved in training activities or who lead conservation teams.

Teaching team
The teaching team will include Japanese and Latin America instructors from leading institutions.