Study Guide

Objective

The aim of the theoretical module of Modern and Contemporary Art Conservation is to acquaint students with the theoretical elements, concepts / philosophy and materials of modern and contemporary art, especially related to synthetic / plastic materials, as well as existing documentation methods and preventive conservation.

The student is familiar with modern materials (primarily plastic materials) in art and cultural-historical objects, the history of their development and use.
The student is able to evaluate the properties and behaviour of modern materials.
The student understands the aging processes and changes in modern materials and is able to act accordingly in a conservation situation.
The student is able to test and analyse modern materials in practice and evaluate their condition with a view to conservation measures.
The student is able to apply the previously obtained knowledge in order to choose and reason suitable conservation methods and materials for modern and contemporary art objects.
The student understands the problem areas of modern and contemporary art conservation, documentation and conservation methods and problem-solving methods, understands the importance of working life contexts and the multidisciplinary nature of conservation in problem solving.

Content

The course is divided into the section on modern materials and the theory section on the conservation of modern and contemporary art. The course consists of various modules and small project-like parts.
In the section on modern materials, students become familiar with the theory and practice of modern materials used in works of art, especially plastic materials, their history and identification in the laboratory, using a variety of analytical equipment and identification techniques.

Theoretical modules and practical material testing / analysis in the laboratory.
Familiarity with materials used in the past and to be used in modern and contemporary art, their history, behavior (aging), damage mechanisms, and preventive conservation.
Familiarity with the essence of modern and contemporary art through theory and case-study-based material.
Familiarity with artist interviews and the decision-making model, documentation and ethics of modern and contemporary art.
Visits, under the guidance of a conservator, to the warehouses of museums and to the conservation department with collections of modern and contemporary art. The course may include other visits and expert lectures.
Artist interview, where possible as a video interview, and editing the interview into a video file.
Familiarity with modern materials and literature, related to the conservation of modern and contemporary art, ethics and philosophy, and the related written task.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The student is able to outline the basic theoretical concepts of modern and contemporary art conservation and knows the related subject history at a basic level. The student masters the basics of the course, understands the main content of the course and its significance for practical conservation work. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire some information independently. The student has difficulty acting as a group member in an encouraging and group-strengthening way.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The student has a good understanding of the basic theoretical concepts of modern and contemporary art conservation and is well acquainted with the related subject history. The student demonstrates a good theoretical knowledge. The student is able to justify his / her choices expertly. The student masters the whole both in theory and in its potential application in practice. The work has been sufficiently independent. The student is able to acquire information independently and is able to critically analyse this information. As a member of the group, the student acts to encourage and strengthen the work of the group.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The student has an excellent command of the basic theoretical concepts of modern and contemporary art conservation and is well acquainted with the subject history associated with it. The student has achieved an excellent level of knowledge and skills. The student demonstrates excellent theoretical knowledge and is able to apply what he / she has learned well. The student is able to work largely independently e.g. for written assignments. The student is able to acquire information independently and to analyse and apply this information. The student participates in the discussion with arguments using the concepts of the field. The student is able to justify his / her choices expertly. The student works consistently, showing initiative and creative problem-solving ability. As a member of the group, the student acts to encourage and strengthen the work of the group.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The student is able to outline the basic theoretical concepts of modern and contemporary art conservation and knows the related subject history at a basic level. The student masters the basics of the course, understands the main content of the course and its significance for practical conservation work. The student understands the necessary theoretical and applied principles related to the topic. The student is able to acquire some information independently. The student has difficulty acting as a group member in an encouraging and group-strengthening way.