|
|
Introduction Conservation of artworks is
primarily an ethical duty of our civilisation with respect of future
generations but also a challenge for science and technology. In fact, many
conservation problems of monuments, historical sites and museum collections
require more and more sophisticated instrumentation to be understood and
finally resolved. Laser techniques have been for a long time an attractive
field of research coming from physics, but with limited attention by the
conservation community. In the year 2000 an initiative of scientific
cooperation started at European level, the COST Action G7, with the aim to
promote “Artworks Conservation by Lasers” and possibly assess this innovation
potential with well-established conclusions. A network of 36 organisations
coming from 20 countries was soon realised, with the participation of
physicists, chemists, biologists, architects, conservators and restorers.
This interdisciplinary background was the correct basis to approach from
different aspects the multifaceted problems encountered in the
experimentation of laser techniques on a variety of materials and of
deterioration causes. The peculiar properties of laser radiation such as
monochromatic emission, coherence, collimation of the beam were aimed toward
diagnostic applications to investigate the materials with non-invasive low
power beams and provide immediate response. On the other hand the possibility
to raise the laser power and determine selective and controlled ablative
effects was the subject of the most debated application in the delicate phase
of cleaning. During the COST G7 lifetime the exchange of experience and the
comparison of the results could add significant advancements in the
comprehension and control of the effects induced by cleaning. The selection
of suitable setting of the laser parameters could avoid the side effects that
were hindering the use of lasers in practice. Inter-change of young
scientists by means of short-term scientific missions has spread best
practices between us. An intensive series of 12 workshops dedicated to meet
with conservators and restorers has transferred to a relevant number of
stakeholders in the field of conservation a correct knowledge about the
validation of laser techniques and main case studies. In conclusion COST G7
has completed in the 2006 its own mission, disseminating a proper information
through the conservation community in Europe and worldwide, about how to use
lasers in conservation with best possible exploitation of their technical
benefits. Today these innovative instruments are considered as
well-recognised tools for solving a variety of problems in conservation, such
as cleaning of artworks, statues, monuments and historical buildings,
detection of defects, on-site analysis of composition and 3D documentation.
We are certain that laser technologies will be integrated with the
traditional techniques in the immediate future. In this respect the COST G7
group gave a high priority for training of end-users with the aim to
establish a proper knowledge and use of laser instruments and innovative
methods for diagnostics, restoration interventions and monitoring of the deterioration.
Consequently, we decided to contribute to training courses with our
experience. This CD includes selected topics about laser techniques in
conservation and is offered by COST G7 to the vast community of institutions
devoted to education of experts in conservation and restoration. Chairman of COST G7 Istituto di Fisica Applicata "Nello Carrara"- CNR Via Madonna del Piano n.10 Italy |
