Resilience Treatments & Strategies
Paintings, Statuary and Sacraments
Description
Any artistic or otherwise culturally significant iconography. Some may be movable and can be evacuated in a disaster, but many may be permanently affixed to or be part of the building (e.g., decorative painting). There should be an evacuation plan for movable artwork. Any artwork that must remain in place should be documented and protected to the greatest care possible when preparing for an imminent disaster.
Typical Damages from Floods or Hurricanes
- Artwork or objects become soaked from floodwater, leaking roof, sprinklers, or ruptured pipes, causing:
- Various types of cracking: peeling/blistering, crazing/checking, alligatoring
- Delamination and partial or total loss of paintings from their substrate
- Staining
Other common conditions contributing to vulnerability towards floods or hurricanes
- Lack of emergency, disaster response, or salvage plan
Resilience Treatments and Strategies
The THC offers resources and provides links for more information on salvage and recovery of cultural artifacts [https://www.thc.texas.gov/preserve/projects-and-programs/museum-assistance/additional-resources]
In-house
Inventory all artistic or culturally significant iconography and include in emergency plan. Prioritize which pieces can be evacuated (and how) prior to a disaster and which are priorities to recover during salvage.
Prior to storms, evacuate movable pieces to a safe predetermined location. Immovable pieces may need to be protected with plastic sheeting if possible.
Light staining on statuary may be cleaned with appropriate masonry cleaners if performed carefully by someone familiar with its maintenance and conservation needs.
Professional needed [type]
Consolidate delaminating surfaces [conservator].
Restore damaged artwork [conservator].
Paintings, Statuary and Sacraments
Description
Any artistic or otherwise culturally significant iconography. Some may be movable and can be evacuated in a disaster, but many may be permanently affixed to or be part of the building (e.g., decorative painting). There should be an evacuation plan for movable artwork. Any artwork that must remain in place should be documented and protected to the greatest care possible when preparing for an imminent disaster.
Typical Damages from Floods or Hurricanes
- Artwork or objects become soaked from floodwater, leaking roof, sprinklers, or ruptured pipes, causing:
- Various types of cracking: peeling/blistering, crazing/checking, alligatoring
- Delamination and partial or total loss of paintings from their substrate
- Staining
Other common conditions contributing to vulnerability towards floods or hurricanes
- Lack of emergency, disaster response, or salvage plan
Resilience Treatments and Strategies
The THC offers resources and provides links for more information on salvage and recovery of cultural artifacts [https://www.thc.texas.gov/preserve/projects-and-programs/museum-assistance/additional-resources]
In-house
Inventory all artistic or culturally significant iconography and include in emergency plan. Prioritize which pieces can be evacuated (and how) prior to a disaster and which are priorities to recover during salvage.
Prior to storms, evacuate movable pieces to a safe predetermined location. Immovable pieces may need to be protected with plastic sheeting if possible.
Light staining on statuary may be cleaned with appropriate masonry cleaners if performed carefully by someone familiar with its maintenance and conservation needs.
Professional needed [type]
Consolidate delaminating surfaces [conservator].
Restore damaged artwork [conservator].