AIC's 45th Annual Meeting

This presentation will focus on the design and use of an adhesive system for the structural repair of plaster sculpture. The parameters influencing adhesive system design and the choice of polyvinyl butyral resins as a consolidant will be explored including methods for dealing with prior adhesive repairs, the issue of plaster's structural strength, controlled reversibility, and planned stress relief. These topics will be illustrated through the presentation of case studies of treatment and retreatment of a variety of plaster sculptures, painted and unpainted, over the course of ten years and executed by several conservators under the author's supervision. The information presented will be applicable to treatments of conservators working with plaster in a variety of formats including hollow cast, solid cast, modeled, and architectural applications.