On 13-24 October 2013 a subregional workshop for restorers with the participation of experts and specialists from Belarus, Poland and Lithuania was held at the National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Niasvizh” and the educational establishment “Belarusian State Academy of Arts” (Minsk). The event was attended by 10 experts in restoration from Poland, 2 restorers from Lithuania, more than 50 national members, including the experts who restored Niasvizh castle and other museums of Belarus, teachers of the Academy, students and restorers.
The workshop included a theoretical part and workshops.
The topic of the introductory lectures was “Art of XII-XVIII centuries in the lands of the contemporary Belarus. Between the traditions of Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Western Europe”, and peculiarities of work with the monuments of art, the authorship and value of which have not been established.
Special workshops were conducted on gathering information, analysis of art objects and record-keeping required for the organization of restoration works.
Practical classes were held at the facilities of the National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Niasvizh” and the Catholic Church “Corpus Christi”, as well as at the sites in such cities as Mir, Navahrudak and Baranavichy. Seminar participants learned the practical methods used in the restoration of cultural heritage.
In particular, thanks to the rich experience of work in different countries, the experts were able to demonstrate at the practical classes the methods used by restorers and museum workers in Poland, Lithuania, Italy, France, Germany, Egypt, Turkey to assess the risks (threats) and ensure the safety of easel paintings. The professionals paid much time to diagnosing and assessing damages and the methods for conservation and prevention of destruction of works of art.
The exchange of experience will allow to largely avoid the use of trial and error methods during the restoration of the cultural heritage of Belarus. In addition, the contacts established between professionals create the possibility of joint decision-making (especially in relation to cultural property of importance for several countries) to ensure that the best methods of restoration and conservation are used.
At the classes for the study of modern technologies in the field of restoration, the seminar participants paid special attention to the introduction of the technology of laser ablation (evaporation of matter from the surface exposed to laser radiation) for diagnostics, research, and safe disposal of clusters of different materials on the surface of works of art and architectural monuments. At the practical classes, reviewed were also modern technological means, including the achievements in the field of chemistry used by experts to analyze and study the restoration of objects: optics (digital microscopes), lighting devices and other equipment and materials.
Students-restorers of the Academy of Arts were able to consolidate in practice the received information on the international standards in documenting the restoration at the master class conducted by the restorer of easel painting in the Palace of Wilanow in Warsaw, Agnieszka Pawlak, which used two damaged canvas paintings from the storage of the Niasvizh castle. A description of the artwork was composed, an analysis of the damage was held, detailed documentation was framed and, more importantly, a strategy of the restoration work was adopted.
Such issues as storing of collections of books, engravings and paintings on paper in archives and museums, transportation, protection from fires and floods, acquisition of laboratory equipment and supplies, techniques, disinfection of premises, protection against damage by microorganisms, insects and rodents were considered on the example of the emergencies resulting from natural floods.
A practical class on analysis and determination of threats to safety of artworks was held at the tomb in the Church of Corpus Christi in Niasvizh, belonging to objects with a high risk of damage. The topic of restoration of graves was considered there as well.
A separate block of lectures was devoted to the issue of security in the organization of the restoration work, and the technique of work in the historical (damaged) buildings in the state of disrepair.
The experts also focused on a comprehensive study of materials and techniques to be used on objects in Niasvizh and Mir, where workshops were held to identify substances and analyze their condition over time. In particular, considered were the peculiarities of the restoration of buildings made of porous (sandstone, limestone) crystalline (marble, granite) and other materials, architectural elements and metal products, including products with gilding and silvering. A separate class was dedicated to the study of restoration and conservation of polychrome sculptures, wooden structures and architectural elements, wooden altars, wooden church (historical) furniture on the example of the church of Corpus Christi in Niasvizh, which has artifacts from the time of its foundation.
Lectures on the restoration and conservation of historic textiles, historical overview of the collection of church vestments in Niasvizh, inspired the participants, assisted by the museum administration, of a master class by Prof. Helena Hryzhko on art-historical investigation of tissues, analysis of their structure, fiber identification with the use of macro- and microphotography, microscopes and virtual computing resources. Practical classes on the study of embroidery were held, too.
The final session of the seminar included a review of scientific materials which were used at the classes, analysis of the peculiarities, techniques and technology of historically valuable art in Belarus, Lithuania, Poland and a discussion of the general and cross-cutting issues of restoration. There were established contacts with the intention of professional cooperation, as well as improving the training of specialist restorers in the region.
The impressive professional level of the experts, the inclusive range of specializations, as well as the duration of the workshop allow us to confidently state that it was the biggest workshop for restorers ever held in Belarus.
The workshop brought togetherthe intellectual resources of expert restorers and identified the opportunities and needs of the most active educational institutions in the region, including the study of the restoration of cultural heritage in the theoretical aspect and the role of modern conceptual approaches to the restoration work in the development of the national capacities of the State parties in the field of restoration of monuments of cultural heritage.
The educational institutions of Belarus will analyze the methods of education of restorers from the perspective of the seminar and introduce additional elements into the curriculum.
The conduct of the seminar in the monument of cultural heritage in Niasvizh allowed to cover a wide range of materials and techniques of restoration during practical exercises. Employees of the National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Niasvizh” and the Church of Corpus Christi got an opportunity to get immediate advice from the seminar experts in solving current tasks of restoration.
An important outcome of the event was the signing of the cooperation agreement between the Belarusian State Academy of Arts and the Academy of Arts in Warsaw under the auspices of the National Commissions for UNESCO of the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Poland. The agreement provides for cooperation in education, culture and arts in the following areas:
- exchange of students and staff,
- holding joint cultural events and projects,
- joint research and scientific meetings,
- participation in scientific meetings, symposia, conferences,
- exchange of scientific materials, publications and information.
Thus, there was established a cooperation mechanism which will involve well-known international experts and other stakeholders from Belarus, Poland, Lithuania and other Eastern European countries. The workshop contributed to the strengthening and development of interregional relations, which can ensure the exchange of experiences, success stories and practices of tackling urgent issues of mutual interest.
The conduct of the event under the auspices of UNESCO at a world heritage site according to UNESCO, National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve “Niasvizh” and the Church of Corpus Christi, emphasized the role of the restoration of the cultural heritage. The workshop allowed to draw attention at the local and national level to the importance and urgency of the issue of professional development.
Participation in the seminar under the auspices of UNESCO has also increased the importance of the profession of restorer in the students' eyes, as well as their interest in deepening their knowledge.
