Preventive treatments using Thermo Lignum at the V&A Val Blyth ACR Senior Preventive conservator Conservation and Collections management 2013

Preventive conservator roles and responsibilities Public programme Events Visitor services Exhibitions, displays and tours Preventive treatments Advice IPM at the V&A FuturePlan advice, guidelines and treatments for projects Training Delivery Communication Intranet pages Advice, Enquires Materials testing Treatments, active, preventive Pest policy and strategy Policy and Strategy Publications Integrated pest management (IPM) Monitoring, Identification, trap catch data

Insect pests in the museum Care of Collections & IPM Infestation in one object Damage, spread to collections Displays and stores Cleaning Surveys and audits Loans Exhibitions Collections Acquisitions The environment Collections at risk Risk assessments, minimising risks, preventive treatment, cost saving Avoid loss of cultural value : Protect the collections IPM

Temperature and RH monitors Light monitoring Insect pest monitoring Monitoring the collections images copyright V&A

Insects and materials Organic materials at risk Wool, fur, feathers Paper, parchment Wood, leather Objects, props Furniture, Textiles & Fashion Asian collections Museum of childhood Loans & exhibitions images copyright V&A

Where are thermal treatments used Collections Public Contemporary International Exhibitions Research V&A Use of thermal treatments Blowing hot and cold! Loans National

Treatment Options Moisture controlled Warm air Preventive Treatments No dedicated space for quarantine Local isolation Risk assessment Objects and museum environment Decision based on funds available Or time restraints & other resources Low temperature Chest freezers images copyright V&A

Salvador Dali Lips sofa Permission is required from Lender before treatment Surreal Things V&A exhibition 2009 Wool damage images copyright V&A

Removing tapestries for treatment Using Contractors for the move Tapestries taken down rolled for transport and treatment images copyright V&A

Logistics and Treatment Move to new Clothworkers study centre store Purpose built roller racking For transport and Thermo chamber Racking used for transport & treatment images copyright V&A

The Great bed of Ware Reproduction wool hangings at risk from insect pests images copyright V&A

The Great Bed of Ware Large list of bedding Mattresses and covers In the Chamber images copyright V&A

Post Modernism V&A Exhibition Chair Mixed media Costume Wool content Items treated in chamber images copyright V&A

Proust chair in Post modernism images copyright V&A

Monitoring the Contemporary Monitor with Insect traps Blunder traps & Moth Lures Yamamoto images copyright V&A Power of making

Treating the Contemporary Frass from Drywood termite Bispo De Rosario sculpture images copyright V&A

Laurent Mareshal Spice carpet “Beiti” Jameel Prize 2013 with turmeric, ginger, za’atar, summac, sesame seeds and white pepper images copyright V&A

What’s next Meet the challenges in Theatre & Performance Manage the Contemporary, displays and installation Soul City Pyramid of oranges R.Loux Pop up café, managing food and drink in galleries images copyright V&A

Memory palace Recycled materials Proposed treatment at Thermo Lignum prior to installation MDM PROPS for Erik Kessels

Thermal treatments now routinely used Warm Air treatments prior to installation Lenders reassured Insect threats to V&A collections minimised Pre and post treatments now best practice Key points