The panel discussion 'Icons in Plastic' took place in January 2014 at the Getty Center. Tom Learner (Head of Science, GCI) talks with leading experts in the field, Thea van Oosten, Tom Bechtold and Roger Griffith.
Plastic materials don't always have the long life span once imagined. Many objects made from plastic are showing serious signs of deterioration that can appear with little or no warning. Identifying the type of plastic-based materials from which these objects were created and determining appropriate conservation methods is a growing problem for museums and a challenge for conservators charged with this work. Head of Science, Tom Learner leads a conversation with experts currently grappling with issues related to the conservation of design objects made with plastic materials.