Dirt and Cleaning: Philosophy and Techniques (9476.2)

Please note these are the 2016 details for this unit
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Dirt and Cleaning: Philosophy and Techniques
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Arts And Design
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Discipline Of Creative And Cultural Practice Level 2 - Undergraduate Intermediate Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit will explore the theory of how dirt is culturally and scientifically defined and the impact of removing dirt on both the cultural significance and physical condition of the object. The unit will introduce students to the methods and practice of removing dirt from a range of historic materials. Students completing this unit will be able to articulate the reasons for removing dirt from objects, and to select and perform appropriate cleaning techniques on heritage objects.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to carry out a range of observations and techniques, and the use of a variety of laboratory equipment;

2. Assess and record dirt and accumulated accretions on historic artefacts and structures;
3. Demonstrate an understanding of the process, impact and significance of dirt and accumulated accretions and how this is related to cleaning processes; and
4. Demonstrate through practical exercises an understanding of the techniques involved in the cleaning of cultural heritage materials.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems


Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

8941 Dirt and Cleaning: Philosophy and Techniques, 8499 Conservation Theory and Practice 3 AND 7959 Practicum 8: Inorganic Objects.

Equivalent units

8941 Dirt and Cleaning: Philosophy and Techniques AND 8499 Conservation Theory and Practice 3.

Assumed knowledge

NONE
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
Not available

Required texts

This year the unit will be taught with a flipped classroom model. This means students will be required to review theory and background information PRIOR to attending the combined lecture/workshop. The resources for each week will be listed in the UCLearn site.

This teaching model will allow more time in class for disscussion and practical work and has been adopted to help develop your critical thinking and hands-on treatment skills.


The following resources are a valuable starting point for reviewing the content of the unit:            

             Science for conservators, Book 2 – Cleaning. London, Crafts Council, 1982.

Availability: UC library

Purchase: Required

Science for conservators, Book 1 – Materials. London, Crafts Council, 1982.

Availability: UC library

             Purchase: Highly recommended. You will find the chemistry info in this book invaluable for this unit and also for any science units you are doing.        

Barbara Kanegsberg and Ed. Kanegsberg ed. Handbook for Critical Cleaning: Cleaning Agents and Systems, (HCC) 2nd ed – not specific to conservation but really excellent text.

Availability: UC library electronic text.

Agnes Timar-Balazsy and Dinah Eastop, Chemical principles of textile conservation Oxford : Butterworth-Heinemann, 2004, c1998.

Availability: UC library

Purchase: Highly recommended if you have the money. It is focused on textiles, but covers ground relevant to many other areas in a clear and interesting way.

Richard Wolbers, Cleaning painted surfaces: aqueous methods, London: Archetype, c2000.

Availability: UC library

Purchase: At your discretion.

 

Paper Conservation Catalog 

http://cool.conservation-us.org/coolaic/sg/bpg/pcc/

The relevant chapters would be:

14. Surface Cleaning

15: Hinge, tape and adhesive removal

16. Washing 

19. Bleaching

Participation requirements

Students are expected to participate in lectures, tutorials, group work and site visits to achieve the learning outcomes set out above. These include discussions and group activities which are designed to achieve the learning outcomes of this unit.

Students are able to complete some practical work on their project objects and treatment trials during class time but completion of the project objects and treatment trials will require more work in their own time. Work on objects/trials must be completed in the laboratory unless prior written permission has been arranged with the unit covenor or the laboratory manager.

Students are expected to regularly check their UCLearn site and university email for information about readings, session updates and opportunities relevant to the unit.

Required IT skills

Use of standard word processing and spreadsheet software, image processing software, and internet and email functions. Use of the UCLearn system.

Work placement, internships or practicums

Site visit to Australian War Memorial conservation laboratories