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Hey Emilio. Is this in a closed case or a frame? What's the paper object? 2D I'm assuming. There must be a reason they're asking for desiccant. Perhaps recent conservation treatment that needs longer cure time than they have?
@James Gielow Thanks James for inviting me!
In true conservator fashion, I think I have more questions than answers about this specific scenario, but here's a couple of my thoughts.....While a desiccant sheet may offer some benefit in a small space like a frame that is completely sealed, I typically recommend silica gel when working with exhibition cases since it's a larger space. A sheet or two of paper in a case won't provide much benefit. Assuming your case is air tight, silica gel would work for a period of time before it gets exhausted and walks off the job. It would need to be replaced but timing varies depending on the conditions. Do you plan to monitor the humidity in the case during the exhibition?
1 object is a poster the other is a cloth patch. Both are going to be individually mounted in a case displayed vertically. I do not think either have been treated in any way. They are asking to mount them to museum board with poly strips with the desiccant paper in between. There will be discussion coming up in the future on the project so maybe a different solution may be approached but I just wanted to know if anyone has worked with such product so I can educate myself prior to the meetings.
I dropped a line with a paper conservator friend. I'll let you know what she says.
Hi Emilio,
We have used a flat Artsorb sheet behind 2-D art work and or herbarium sheets. But we did not put the Artsorb in direct contact with the object. Essentially we created a shallow wall case that is sealed with the object floating or looks like it is floating in front of the desiccant chamber behind it. There is air space allowed on all sides and between object layer and desiccant chamber. A gasket on the back and with a back door that is screwed in place. We used a mat to hide the airspace gap. All of this is inside an acrylic box then the box was slid into a frame.
If you need more info. Drop me an email.
My conservation homie decided it would be easier if she joins IMF to help you out. So Sara Bisi from BACC should be chiming in soon.
I kinda adore the idea of having a grip of conservators join our ranks. We can bounce ideas and materials off of them and thus grow stronger! Mwahahaha.
I've interleaved a material called Hollytex in-between the Artsorb desiccant sheet and the paper object, then used Mylar corners inside a frame.
So Artsorb has a desiccant that is thin like paper?
I like the idea of using hollytex as a barrier!
Thank you.
I looked at the Talas website and they have it all. Thank you again.