Programme and Institute
Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
Institute for Conservation - Restoration
Study Field Conservation of Modern and Contemporary Art
Curriculum
- Students who wish to specialise in the field of conservation of modern & contemporary art have to declare this interest on their entrance examination
- basic training of 1st and 2nd semester is followed by 3rd – 5th semester of training in one of the classic / traditional fields of specialisation in both theory and studio work. (easel paintings / polychrome sculpture / wooden objects-movable and immovable /mural paintings-architectural surface / paper-books-archival materials).
- parallel it is recommended that students attend lectures, excursions and blocked seminars focused on topics of conservation of modern & contemporary art
- 5th or 6th semester at latest, students change entirely to the department and studio modern & contemporary conservation for project work
As a particular format of teaching & education 16 hrs per week are dedicated to studio practice:
- Students perform project work that covers case studies, research, development of conservation and restoration concepts, performance and evaluation of conservation measures and design of preventive conservation strategies.
- Objects of interest are selected works of art from museums or private collections which exemplify special issues of conservation, represent complex materials or technologies.
- Educational objectives are to impart knowledge and skills of methodological approach, dialogue and communication, documentation strategies. Perspectives of both science and art history / humanities are addressed.
- This consecutive study plan encourages students from other fields of specialisation to share their background-knowledge on complex issues. Also, it enables teaching persons to collaborate and contribute to interpretative approaches (team-teaching).
- Courses and guest lectures vary so far as to their frequency. They are designed to present materials and techniques and their interlinking with long-term stability, aging phenomena and possible interpretation of alterations. Another important focus lies on the evaluation and understanding of working process and artist’s intent. Therefore training in interview techniques renders a basic tool.
Reflections on ‘meaning of materials’ as well as on the attribution of a system of values play a crucial role.
Basically the following contents are covered:
· synthetic materials / polymers
· new media
· modern & contemporary painting materials
· photography and printing techniques
· natural organic materials
- Workshops are offered on a wide variety of materials and production techniques of artistic practice and expression (shared with students of the Fine Arts);
- Museum-excursions cover varied topics: storing, exhibiting, presenting and installing works of art
Visiting students: exchanging opinions / attitudes / incentives: conservation students meet art students in their studios to discuss topics of materials, artists interview, long-term-stability etc;
- 9th and 10th semesters are dedicated for diploma thesis.
Entry requirements and course of studies
For information concerning the entrance examination please see the link below:
Konservierung und Restaurierung
The program is a 5-year (10 semesters) diploma study at University level, equivalent to the MA-degree.
Both written thesis and practical diploma project have to represent and prove governance of the special study field.
The distinction for this special field is given in the Diploma Supplement.
Faculty Staff
Gerda Kaltenbruner, Head of Department
Martina Pfenninger, Teaching & Research Staff
External Teaching Staff
Christa Haiml
Elisabeth Schlegel
Karin Steiner
Kyujin Ahn, Scientific Examination & Material Analysis in studio projects
Professionel Outreach
Curricular collaboration and/or Erasmus contracts as well as internships have been established so far with the following institutions:
- University of Applied Arts Vienna
- Vienna Phonogrammarchiv
- Cologne University of Applied Sciences
- Berne University of the Arts
- Stuttgart State Academy of Art and Design
- Hochschule für Bildende Künste Dresden
- Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
Museums which provide conservation projects and/or are engaged in teaching courses:
- MUMOK Vienna
- Thyssen-Bornemisza Art Contemporary
- Dieter Roth Foundation
- Essl Museum
- Wien Museum
- Kunsthaus Graz, Collection Joanneum
Language
German
Links
Website of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, Department Conservation of Modern and Contemporary Art: Akademie der Bildende Künste Wien: Institute for Conservation and Restoration
Contact
cons@akbild.ac.at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
g.kaltenbruner@akbild.ac.at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it