Email digest for the Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList) egroup. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. REMINDER: Call for Papers: 'Cool Under Pressure: HVAC, Collection Care and the Climate Challenge' Day Conference, 2027 2. Advice and Experience of using SP-11 Waterlogged Wood Treatment 3. RE: Identifying gutta percha 4. RE: Identifying gutta percha 5. Conservation research and writing residency opportunity 6. Job Posting - Conservation Scientist - National Museum, Oslo - Norway 7. RE: Identifying gutta percha ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1.From: Sirpa Kutilainen Posted: Monday May 18, 2026 5:58 AM Subject: REMINDER: Call for Papers: 'Cool Under Pressure: HVAC, Collection Care and the Climate Challenge' Day Conference, 2027 Message: REMINDER: CALL FOR PAPERS on the theme of HVAC shutdown 'Cool Under Pressure: HVAC, Collection Care and the Climate Challenge' Day Conference, 2027 Sustainability and the reduction of carbon emissions are pressing issues for organisations across the cultural heritage sector. The traditional reliance on energy-intensive HVAC systems to maintain strict environmental storage conditions has become increasingly unsustainable and organisations are seeking ways to reduce energy consumption while still ensuring the long-term preservation of the collections in their care. Established in 2024, the UK-based HVAC Shutdown Group emerged as a community-driven response to challenges and knowledge gaps around this subject, with heritage professionals sharing expertise and experience, and developing solutions together. This conference looks to build on this and address both the practical and theoretical challenges of working with existing buildings housing heritage collections, while building capacity for more sustainable and cost-effective practices. It will showcase innovative approaches to reducing energy consumption; centre discussions on safeguarding historic collections; encourage collaboration across the cultural heritage community; and strengthen the existing network for professional committed to a greener, more sustainable future for collections. We invite submissions of abstracts of up to 500 words. Selected presentations should be 30 minutes in length. We welcome contributions from across the sector that offer fresh perspectives on managing climate-controlled environments within storage settings, as well as innovative approaches to HVAC management in the context of the climate crisis. This will be a hybrid event; however, all speakers will be expected to present in person in Leeds, West Yorkshire in early 2027 (date to be confirmed). Funding is available to support selected speakers with travel and accommodation for the night prior to the conference. The conference is led by the University of Brighton Design Archives and enabled by an award from the University of Brighton Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) / UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) supported Impact Acceleration Account and organised in collaboration with the University of Leeds Libraries' Cultural Collections & Galleries. Please send proposals by midnight (BST) on the 1st of June 2026 to [email protected] <[email protected]> and [email protected] <[email protected]>. 2.From: Kayleigh Spring Posted: Monday May 18, 2026 6:00 AM Subject: Advice and Experience of using SP-11 Waterlogged Wood Treatment Message: Dear All, I am wondering if anyone has any advice or experience with using SP-11 Waterlogged Wood Treatment? SP-11 Waterlogged Wood Treatment <https://preservation-solutions.com/products/sp-11-waterlogged-wood-treatment> I have some roman wooden boxes with nails that are waterlogged and require treatment. I have ruled out PEG due to the presence of the iron nails. I have used Glycerol previously on waterlogged leather that contained nails but noticed people do not advice this for wood due to it leaving a tacky finish. My main questions are: It says that you can just submerge the wood in the solution and leave it. How do you know when the solution has fully permeated the wood? Is there a way to check the concentration of the final solution or is it known it will penetrate a certain thickness over a given length of time? We have a freeze dryer here that we would normally use with waterlogged material as we find trying to control the temperature and RH during air-drying difficult in our building. Can we still use a freeze drying method after impregnating with SP-11? It implies that the solution can be reused – does any waste need to be disposed of as hazardous waste? Does anyone know what the solutions ingredients are? Any help is greatly appreciated. Kind regards Kayleigh Preservation Solutions remove preview <https://preservation-solutions.com/products/sp-11-waterlogged-wood-treatment> SP-11 Waterlogged Wood Treatment A professional conservation treatment designed for stabilizing waterlogged and excavated wooden artifacts. Use by underwater archaeologists and conservationist. View this on Preservation Solutions > <https://preservation-solutions.com/products/sp-11-waterlogged-wood-treatment> ------------------------------ Kayleigh Spring Object Conservator Wiltshire Conservation Service Wiltshire United Kingdom ------------------------------ 3.From: Damian Lizun Posted: Monday May 18, 2026 6:00 AM Subject: RE: Identifying gutta percha Message: Hi. You may check a quite recent publication of my colleague Hanna Szczepanowska Gutta percha, natural rubber and balata-chemical characterization of polyisoprenes in the context of cultural heritage | npj Heritage Science Gutta percha, natural rubber and balata-chemical characterization of polyisoprenes in the context of cultural heritage - npj Heritage Science <https://www.nature.com/articles/s40494-023-00954-z?error=cookies_not_supported&code=36a98eea-27d3-4275-9dc8-5b7a011ea65a> Nature remove preview <https://share.google/jWpRPnS8CKW4TGhtC> Gutta percha, natural rubber and balata-chemical characterization of polyisoprenes in the context of cultural heritage - npj Heritage Science Gutta percha, natural rubber, and balata are latexes produced by tropical trees that since the mid-nineteenth century have been extensively used commercially and in the creation of artworks and daily use objects. All three latexes are stereoisomers of polyisoprene that differ in their molecular structure. View this on Nature > <https://share.google/jWpRPnS8CKW4TGhtC> Damian ------------------------------ Damian Lizun ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 05-17-2026 15:33 From: Hannah Cook Subject: Identifying gutta percha Hello, I am a conservation student researching the identification of gutta percha for my master's thesis. I am wondering if anyone has experience working with the material and could give me pointers on identifying characteristics of gutta percha and how to differentiate it from other materials. I am also interested if anyone has come across characteristic aging phenomena like white bloom(?), wrinkled surface and/or glossiness/mottling on gutta percha. Thanks for any help! ------------------------------ Hannah Cook Amsterdam Netherlands ------------------------------ 4.From: Simon Moore Posted: Monday May 18, 2026 6:01 AM Subject: RE: Identifying gutta percha Message: Hi Hannah, I have come across gutta percha in bookbindings, where it has become brittle over 100+ years, most of these are from c. 1880 to 1910. I have also found it (but rarely) used in sealing biological specimens in jar of preservative fluid where it has also become brittle after about 50 years - I do have a pic of the latter phenomenon if this might be helpful? With all good wishes, Simon Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian. www.natural-history-conservation.com ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 5/17/2026 3:34:00 PM From: Hannah Cook Subject: Identifying gutta percha Hello, I am a conservation student researching the identification of gutta percha for my master's thesis. I am wondering if anyone has experience working with the material and could give me pointers on identifying characteristics of gutta percha and how to differentiate it from other materials. I am also interested if anyone has come across characteristic aging phenomena like white bloom(?), wrinkled surface and/or glossiness/mottling on gutta percha. Thanks for any help! ------------------------------ Hannah Cook Amsterdam Netherlands ------------------------------ 5.From: Rachel Mustalish Posted: Monday May 18, 2026 1:56 PM Subject: Conservation research and writing residency opportunity Message: The Leonard A. Lauder Research Center for Modern Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art invites applications for the annual Residency for Curators and Conservators. Applications are open till May 31, 2026, for the Leonard A. Lauder Residency for Curators and Conservators. Recognizing the need for curators and conservators to have focused time to work on a current project, the residency supports research and writing in the field of modern art. It covers round-trip travel to New York and accommodation for a continuous period of 1-3 months, anytime between January and June 2027. The successful applicant will participate in the activities of the Research Center and give a presentation on their work towards the end of the Residency. We use the term ‘modern art’ inclusively to refer to architecture, drawing, design (including exhibition, graphic, interior and stage design), film, painting, performance, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and textiles in the period from the last third of the nineteenth century through the 1960s, from any country, region, or culture. (If your application is focused on art from the 1970s onwards or on other historical periods, it will not be considered.) Applications are assessed by a panel, and detailed information on the application materials to be submitted, the eligible costs, and the award criteria are all available on the Research Center website here <https://www.metmuseum.org/research-centers/leonard-a-lauder-research-center/residencies/curator-and-conservator-residencies>. Website: https://www.metmuseum.org/research-centers/leonard-a-lauder-research-center/residencies/curator-and-conservator-residencies <https://www.metmuseum.org/research-centers/leonard-a-lauder-research-center/residencies/curator-and-conservator-residencies> ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Rachel Mustalish Conservator in Charge Metropolitan Museum of Art, Paper Conservation Department New York United States ------------------------------ 6.From: Marie Kleivane Posted: Monday May 18, 2026 1:57 PM Subject: Job Posting - Conservation Scientist - National Museum, Oslo - Norway Message: The National Museum is seeking a Conservation Scientist to join its multidisciplinary team of conservators, whose expertise covers a broad range of materials. The position will contribute to the development of new scientific expertise in the museum's landmark building, opened in 2022. This is a rare opportunity to play a central role in shaping the scientific foundation of conservation practice at a major European museum. The successful candidate will work closely with highly skilled conservators across multiple material specialisms and contribute to a growing, internationally oriented research environment. Application deadline: 7th June. The vacancy is listed on Webcruiter https://21982000.webcruiter.no/Main/Recruit/Public/5116546744?language=nb&link_source_id=0 <https://nor01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2F21982000.webcruiter.no%2FMain%2FRecruit%2FPublic%2F5116546744%3Flanguage%3Dnb%26link_source_id%3D0&data=05%7C02%7Cmarie.kleivane%40nasjonalmuseet.no%7Cf73065e29afb4d07227308deb4ce6cb3%7Ce44cf2a3025542f4bb45a6ce6d5d4fa2%7C0%7C0%7C639146995856428214%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Q4dhUnWDGHAqGaClkIwP4NmUg%2F3vPymi%2Bz1oSq4c8E0%3D&reserved=0> Kari Skytt Andersen Head of Conservation +47 452 18 180 [email protected] <[email protected]> ------------------------------ Marie Kleivane Paper Conservator Nasjonalmuseet for Kunst, Arkitektur og Design Oslo Norway ------------------------------ 7.From: Katherine Singley Posted: Monday May 18, 2026 1:57 PM Subject: RE: Identifying gutta percha Message: Hi Hannah- You can find some technical information on gutta percha in dentistry articles, because gutta percha is still used to fill root canals. Have a look at https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6632621/#sec1-14 <https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6632621/#sec1-14> "Gutta-percha in endodontics - A comprehensive review of material science" (2019) . Gutta Percha was used from the 18th C. to mid 19th C. for components of objects needing water resistance and strength, like umbrella handles. It also was used for oral appliances like dentures and obturators as well as limb prosthetics. It was largely replaced by polysulfide rubber and cellulose nitrate from 1850 on. Happy sleuthing! ------------------------------ Katherine Singley Conservation Anthropologica (retired) Decatur, GA, USA [email protected] ------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- Original Message: Sent: 05-17-2026 15:33 From: Hannah Cook Subject: Identifying gutta percha Hello, I am a conservation student researching the identification of gutta percha for my master's thesis. I am wondering if anyone has experience working with the material and could give me pointers on identifying characteristics of gutta percha and how to differentiate it from other materials. I am also interested if anyone has come across characteristic aging phenomena like white bloom(?), wrinkled surface and/or glossiness/mottling on gutta percha. Thanks for any help! ------------------------------ Hannah Cook Amsterdam Netherlands ------------------------------ You are subscribed to "Global Conservation Forum (ConsDistList)" as [email protected]. To change your subscriptions, go to http://community.culturalheritage.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to https://community.culturalheritage.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=d16eaa87-0f69-494b-9f2f-303dbc1222e1&sKey=fab9aa4f27a04c5d876e&GroupKey=757a8f16-505f-4323-8e74-e376757aa9f7.
