Preventive vs Interventive ConservationIn the Hwa Chong Institution Heritage Center

Benjamin Ang (3P3 01)Pang Shi Quan (3P3 16)

Isaac Lim (3H1 15)Ho Say Kiat (3P2 06)

Overview•Rationale•Hypotheses•Thesis Statement•Research Questions•Introduction to Conservation

▫Literature Reviews▫Preventive VS Interventive

•Methodology▫Quantitative and Qualitative Aspects

Rationale

Rich History Heritage Center

And that is why….•We Want to Improve it•Through Conservation of the collection of

Artifacts•By Restoring some of them

Thesis StatementA Study on the appropriate methods to

conservethe artifacts in the Hwa Chong Heritage

Centerand to stop them from deteriorating through preventive and interventive

conservation

Hypotheses1. An ideal environment for the

conservation of artifacts will have low humidity, low light intensity, and is relatively cool

2. Preventive Methods of Conservation are more time/cost-efficient than Interventive ones?

Research Questions1. What is the current level of

humidity/temperature pattern/light intensity in the Heritage Center?

2. How have the artifacts been affected?3. What methods can be applied to

conserve these artifacts?4. What are the pros and cons of the

Preventive and Interventive methods?

Literature Review – Why Conserve Artifacts? (not complete)•Conservation ensures that Artifacts do not

deteriorate, or slow down said process•Better for the Owner

▫Reduced need to worry about replacing an original artifact/piece of work

•Better for the Audience▫Allows audience to view artifacts in its

entirety▫Makes for a better understanding of the

monument

Preventive Conservation

• Environmental Factors▫Humidity▫Temperature▫Intensity of Light▫Pests

Interventive Conservation

Principles of ConservationInterventive Methods &

Process

Prevention Vs Cure• Artifacts that are not Rusty/Torn/etc. are much

more aesthetically pleasing , but

• Interventive Methods have their constraints▫Artifacts may not be fully restored▫Not cost-efficient▫Restored objects may be more prone to

further/more serious damage▫Expertise required to perform it safely

• Find a balance between the two

Methodology

General Survey of Collectio

n

Survey Environment

of the Heritage Center

Research on Ideal

Environment

+ How to Achieve it

Carry out interviews

(Oral History)

Work with

experts to

Restore Artifacts

Come up with a

proposal for ideal

environment

Things to Consider• To what Extent Should we Restore Damaged

Artifacts?▫Restore it to its original state? Is halfway there

enough? Fact vs Interpretation Conservator’s POV may not be the same as the

Audiences’ POV Artifacts may be damaged if methods are too extreme Are the effects of restoration permanent? Conflict between showcasing authentic or replaced

artifacts Will the restored artifacts looking too new lose its

aesthetic appeal?

Baba House Case Study•Old paintings in the Baba House: -Placed in an air-conditioned environment -Dehumidifiers that are turned on 24/7•Showcase of a preserved Luak cat -Has humidity indicators to observe the

humidity levelYellow skittles

End Product•Proposal

▫How to ensure that the Heritage Center always has the “ideal environment”

•Oral History Presentation with Teachers▫Interview in Mp3 format▫Transcript

•2-3 Restored Artifacts

Thank You

ReferencesImages• http://stopabusingsiprefixes.org/img/stop.png• http://www.skeeter-vac-depot.com/images/skeeter-vac-re

pair.png• Images taken in the Hwa Chong Institution High School

Heritage CenterInformation about Conservation • from Mr Lawrence Chin• The Care of Prints and Drawings by Margaret Holben

Ellis (Nashville: The Amerian Association for State and Local History, 1987)

• Conservation Concerns: A Guide for Collectors and Curators by Konstanze Bachmann (April 17, 1992)