Conservation Science

It is misnomer to say that artifacts or monuments or documentary heritage get pre served by giving them protection only. Con servation which includes preservation and restoration is a systematic knowledge today. Conservation has become a multidisciplinary approach and hence has become an applied science. This book discusses the responsibili ties of all connected with Art, Archaeology and Archives including people/at large.

Conservation science is not confined to active treatment to be executed but is also related to display, storage, handling, transpor tation, gallery management and care from con servation point of view and includes docu mentation, monitoring of their health, acquisi tion, authentication, taking care of the menance of fakes and forgeries, legal issues, fingerprinting, professional ethics and protec tion of monuments/sites from vandals. All these aspects go together for their total care and safety.

The readers would be helped by sharing the experiences of the author gained by him during almost the past five decades especially the students of various disciplines namely Archaeology. Art History, Museology and Art conservation besides professionals al ready working in their respective fields con nected with heritage. This attempt, would strengthen their understanding further even though experts may not find many aspects which should have been dealt in this book. The author proposes to deal the rest of the aspects of Conservation Science in subse quent attempts in due course. People at large would also be motivated so as to appreciate their heritage and stop casual attitude to wards art in general and monuments in par ticular by way of their contribution in helping people responsible for the preservation of these relics of the past to shape a better present for the society at large in times to come.

AS. Bisht studied Science before doing postgraduate study in Art Conservation from Australia during the years 1960-1961 having been selected by the Commonwealth office of Education, Sydney, Australia under Austra lian Govt. Senior Fellowship. He joined the ASI in 1954 before selection in the National Museum, New Delhi in 1958. After working on various positions in the National Museum, New Delhi became the Head of its Conserva tion Department in 1978 and has been instru mental for the post 1978 development in its. present form till he retired as Chief Restorer in March 1991. He was actively associated with the projects undertaken by the Laboratory between 1958 to 1991.

He has contributed over a hundred re search papers in various publications in India. and abroad. He is author of the book "Chal lenges in Conservation of Indian Miniatures" and edited/published some other publications of IASC. He was associated with the drafting of the syllabus for M.A. (Conservation) course of the NMI (A deemed University) and has been teaching Art Conservation since its inception. After retirement he is associated with the Faculty of Art Conservation as a Visiting Professor. He has been guiding stu dents and evaluating the M.A & Ph.D thesis since 1991 in the field of conservation.

He is one of the Founder Members of IASC and worked in various capacities includ ing its President before being elected its Hony. Fellow. He is a Life member of MAI and was elected Fellow of the IIC, London bring ing international recognition to him in his specialized field. He has travelled extensively in India and abroad including Australia, Indo nesia, Japan, U.S.A, Europe, USSR, Afganistan and Bhutan on various assign ments by international bodies like UNESCO. He is a Devotee of Sri Satya Sai Baba to whom. he attributes all his achievements and success. in life.

This book 'Conservation Science' is basically based on my lectures for a period of 10-12 years to the M.A. (Con.) students with a back up experience of long years in Conservation of Cultural property which is also partly reflected in my research papers in various Journals over the years. This attempt, therefore, would help all future students of the National Museum Institute besides students of Museology. Archaeology & Archival studies and also the Conservation/Curatorial Staff in Museums. Art Galleries, Deptt. of Archaeology, Universities etc. since most of the chapters are devoted to important aspects of Preventive Conservation, collective approach and total care/safety of our cultural heritage while on display, in storage, in transit or standing in an isolated place. This is the age of Management and Cultural Institutions should not remain aloof from this as described in the book. This attempt is First of the series which I have in mind.

A concept of Curator - Conservator would emerge from the contents of this attempt since many institutions may not have a person for active conservation needed by many of the artifacts in the collection/ protection. Hence the need for passive conservation which can be provided by the Curator or Custodian to safeguard the artifacts in his/ her charge for which he/she is accountable. Artifacts can remain in the state of preservation in which these are received by him in charge if not better. However, he/she in no case attempt active conservation himself/ herself unless trained for the purpose.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages