The introductory part of the technical workshop will present the main classes of gelling agents used in the field of conservation and restoration. The physical-chemical properties of different gels will be illustrated, and their mediation mechanisms will be analyzed to show how they help address specific conservation challenges.
The workshop will cover gel preparation techniques and their variations. Participants will learn how to modify the physical characteristics and performance of the gel by adjusting reagent concentrations and adding rigid gels, chelating agents, water-miscible and water-immiscible organic solvents (via emulsifiers). Participants will actively engage in preparing PVA-Borax gels, testing how gel viscoelasticity can be modulated by adjusting reagent concentrations and how they can be loaded with organic solvents.
Tutor:
Andrea Del Bianco - Restorer and Conservator of Cultural Heritage from the Academy of Fine Arts in Bologna, specializing in Conservation and Restoration of paper-based materials
Augusto Giuffredi - A professional restorer and conservator of cultural heritage, he currently teaches at the Academies of Fine Arts in Bologna and Naples.
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