Removal of graffiti from cultural monuments
- Post 15 Listopad 2021
- By Ira Fabrio
- In Posteri
- Hitovi: 1061
Author: Ema Bonomi
Mentor: Siniša Bizjak, Assistant Professor
University of Split, Arts Academy, Department of Conservation-Restoration (Croatia)
Study programme: Integrated undergraduate and graduate course of study in conservation-restoration
Specialization: Conservation-restoration of stone (5th year of study)
Abstract
The poster is divided into three parts. The first part describes the properties of materials that are most often contaminated with graffiti. The emphasis in the research was on carbonate stone because it is the most common material contaminated with graffiti. In the second part, a test was performed in which spray paint samples were exposed to UV radiation using a UV lamp. Expectation was that the bonds within the paint molecule would begin to break, and that the paint would be easier to remove. After UV exposure, the samples were recorded using FT-IR. The images showed the breaking of intermolecular bonds and partial change of colour, but the time interval of this method was not satisfactory. In the third part, tests for cleaning graffiti-contaminated stone were conducted, using available means of commercial coating-removal gels. Most of the tests were carried out on a stone of local origin. They were also executed on plaster. The obtained results could be applied by experts in order to shorten the time when selecting a suitable agent. Also, they can be used when choosing the correct method of agent’s application, the duration of the process, the method of cleaning, and in the selection according to financial affordability.
Click here to view the poster. (PDF)
Short biography
EMA BONOMI was born in Split, Croatia on February 3, 1996. She attended the Secondary School of Fine Arts in Split as a fashion designer. She enrolled into the Conservation-Restoration Department of the Arts Academy in Split in 2015, which she is now attending as a fifth-year student. Ema participated in several conservation-restoration conferences such as the student conference in Dubrovnik (2019) and a conference in Urbino, Italy (also 2019). During her third year of academic studies, she did practical work for stone conservation in the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments in Split.
