Pictorial layers in contemporary art: stabilization of an artwork made of chocolate and metal

Abstract

ResumenPresentamos en este artículo los estudios previos y la intervención llevada a cabo en una interesante obra contemporánea de la artista Enriqueta Hueso. La obra, realizada con materiales contemporáneos y poco convencionales como chocolate, hierro o bronce, presentaba problemas de conservación que han requerido de un pormenorizado estudio de los factores discrepantes que envolvían el acto de la intervención. Ha sido objetivo de la intervención respetar, en relación a estos factores discrepantes, el referente a la intención artística, idea o concepto de la obra. Por ello, los tratamientos realizados han estado limitados por la exigencia del mantenimiento de la apariencia y la naturaleza de los materiales empleados. Se trata de una obra pensada para ser tocada, que exigió tratamientos de consolidación y protección ante el biodeterioro, además de un buen estudio de conservación preventiva. Palabras ClaveArte contemporáneo; Estabilización; Factores discrepantes; Idea/materia; Chocolate. AbstractWe show in this article all the previous studies and the treatments performed over an interesting contemporary work by the artist Enriqueta Hueso. The artwork, made with contemporary and unconventional materials such as chocolate, iron and bronze, showed poor conservation conditions and needed a detailed analysis of all the differing factors which involved the act of intervention. In order to intervene according the differing factors, the artistic intention, the idea and the concept of the work were to be respected. Thus, all the performed treatments were limited by the need for keeping both the original appearance and the original materials' nature. This artwork was made to be touched and it demanded a consolidation treatment and protection against biological deterioration, as well as a good study on preventive conservation. KeywordsContemporary art; Stabilization; Differing factors; Idea/matter; Chocolate. ResumoCom o presente artigo apresentamos os estudos prévios e a intervenção desenvolvidos numa interessante obra contemporânea da artista Enriqueta Hueso. A obra, realizada com materiais contemporâneos e pouco convencionais, como chocolate, ferro e bronze, apresentava problemas de conservação e necessitou de um pormenorizado estudo dos factores discrepantes que envolveram o acto de intervenção. Em relação a tais factores discrepantes, a intervenção pretendeu respeitar a intenção artística, a ideia e o conceito da obra. Por isso, os tratamentos realizados foram limitados pela exigência de manter a aparência e a natureza dos materiais utilizados. Tratando-se de uma obra para ser manipulada, exigiu tratamentos de consolidação e protecção relativamente destinados a evitar a biodeterioração, além de um bom estudo de conservação preventiva.

Theoretical issues in the conservation of contemporary art: on paradigms, ontological and constitutive elements in some practical cases

“…Although the materials that constitute it are absolutely unusual (Wharton, Blank and Dean 1995), the intervention that was carried out on the occasion of its restoration would be framed within the paradigm of scientific restoration. On the material framework, the work was made with metal shavings adhered to a two-millimeterthick plywood sheet; milk chocolate in large fillings applied to the metal shavings; iron bars and a cupcake wrapper (Llamas, Zornoza-Indart, and López 2009).…”