Because this piece is concept art and is executed by way of following a detailed plan provided by the artist, conservation techniques differ from many other pieces of art. In 2002, a large dent was discovered on the north wall corner, and it became worse when someone touched it. Stanchions were immediately put in place to prevent further damage. The art was then removed in 2008 and redone in 2009. This reinstallation is possible because the real piece of art is the idea not the actual tangible painting. Another potential problem conservators must pay attention to is bugs. Bugs such as termites and carpenter ants can burrow in and cause walls to become structurally unsound. This can cause artwork to become discolored and saggy. There are many ways to treat this kind of problem such as spraying chemicals or completely replacing the art. Fortunately, because this piece is concept art, replacing it completely is a viable option. Even though it can be removed and redone, protecting it is still a priority. A varnish was applied to protect the surface of the wall from light and liquid damage that could cause the art to discolor or cause the ink to bleed and blend together.
While reinstalling the actual painting is possibility in the case of Wall Drawing #541 preserving and archiving the paper based plan or instructions and the certificate of authenticity for the piece is essential. Museum registrars, curators, and conservators work together to maintain a detailed catalog of all museum objects, the condition of those objects, and proposed treatments. Preservation for paper based artifacts or works of art include monitoring humidity levels to avoid water damage and mold as well as the breakdown of cellulose fibers and exposure to light.
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Wall Drawing #541: Contemporary & Concept Art
Wall Drawing #541: Installation