Preservation, Conservation - Design for Repair

In this ongoing series about Preservation, Conservation, Experimentation, I'd like to make a recommendation for all artists and makers  -  design for repair.

I am sure everyone would like to think that damage doesn't happen with good care, but 30 years of experience has taught me that accidents do happen, even to the most valuable of items.

  Damaged corner of one window. I had to
  completely disassemble the window,
  remake a few parts, repair the pieces
  I couldn't remake,a then, put it back
  together.
  

Through the "school of hard knocks," I've also found it far better to anticipate the possibility of damage and not just ignore the possibility.

From the beginning and during your construction, consider how your art work or craft can be repaired.  I design my work to be disassembled, and keep the instructions and assembly methods in my sketch books. Not that I want to repair my work, but when damages do happen, it won't be a total loss. I would rather repair my work myself, instead of letting someone else to try to figure it out. I am the expert on my own work. No one can repair it as well as I can.

Keep your records for the materials used or possibly spare parts. Your Inventory Records might include the brand of paint, or significant colors, patina or glazes. Anything that you might need to know about a particular piece or group of work.

I charge for repair. Since I do silver repair and restoration, I charge my going rate of $85 an hour.  Insurance companies are glad that someone will repair the work, as compared to compensating the owner for the entire artwork.

The document Claims for Damaged Work in the Professional Guidelines will help you with a successful claim if your work is ever damaged.

To help assure the long term future of your work, design your art or craft for repair and restoration.

Harriete