PUBLIC OUTDOOR PAINTED SCULPTURE CONSERVATION TREATMENT

Los Angeles

323.377.8425 Miami

305.573.7011 www.rlaconservation.com

Before Treatment

After Treatment

Client

The Frost Museum of Art

Piece

Alexander Liberman, Argosy

Date 1980

Location

Florida International University – Modesto A. Maidique Campus

Project Dates

December 2014 & February 2015

Materials

Painted Steel

Services Provided

Conditions Assessment, Treatment

Planning, Maintenance Plan

The Frost Art Museum retained RLA to repaint Alexander Liberman’s Argosy, a monumental sculpture in the characteristic style of this artist. Though it had been repainted as recently as 2010, the sculpture had faded badly in the Florida sun and the paint was blanched and streaky. The sculpture had been struck by an egg, and the area hit had faded differentially. Additional conservation issues included corrosion of the footings, and an overall haze on the surface of the work. The structural stability of the piece was evaluated with a preservation engineer, who recommended having the footings repaired by welding. RLA supervised the lifting of the sculpture by an art handler and a certified welder making repairs to the engineer’s specifications. We contacted the artist’s representative to obtain information on the appropriate color match. The existing surface was scarified and spray painted in situ using a color matched primer and TNEMEC paints of the highest color retention matched to the specified color in Dupont Imron, the artist’s original choice. The treatment exemplified how one can obtain an artist’s intent in painted outdoor sculpture, while improving on his materials. This must be done in partnership with an artist’s fabricator, estate, or foundation.