Conservação de escultura em espaço público. Definição de protocolos de gestão de riscos para esculturas em suporte pétreo e metálico

: os casos de estudo Afonso de Albuquerque (Diogo de Macedo), Doutrina (Salvador Barata Feyo) e Eu Espero (Fernanda Fragateiro)

Abstract

This research encompasses the sculptures Afonso de Albuquerque by Diogo de Macedo, the sketch of the sculpture Doutrina by Salvador Barata-Feyo and Eu Espero by Fernanda Fragateiro, which are examples of Public Art belonging to the district of Porto. The works of Public Art are daily exposed to adverse weather factors that tend to worsen due to climate change and are subject to anthropic actions that contribute to their material wear and immaterial dissociation by citizens. Given these problems, it is essential to act on public sculpture, and the aim of this dissertation is to develop a methodology based on Risk Assessment and from this to create specific maintenance protocols as opposed to deep conservation and restoration interventions in the future, contributing to a more sustainable protection of the Cultural Heritage over time. For each sculpture an exhaustive diagnosis was carried out considering its material base and including the evaluation of its state of conservation and photographic record. The colorimetric analysis of the three case studies focused on the areas which presented biocolonization, pathologies and vandalism. The SEM analysis of the surfaces of the Eu Espero and sketch of Doutrina sculptures allowed the identification of biological structures, organic compounds and corrosion. The Karsten Pipes methodology allowed characterization of water adsorption and porosity properties of the stone sculptures. The characterization of the surface microbiome of the case studies started with analysis with Dino Lite optical microscope and sampling with tape, complementary methods that allowed visualizing some of the organisms colonizing the sculptures' surfaces. The ATP detection by bioluminescence made it possible to identify and quantify the presence of living organisms on the surface of the works, which allowed for greater accuracy in the choice of points for the extraction of DNA, the basis of the methodology for the characterization of biological communities through metagenomics. The extraction of chlorophyll a focuses on photosynthetic organisms that colonize the case study, and this was observed in the results obtained. From the isolation of organisms and their visualization under the optical microscope, it was possible to identify bacteria (Gram+ and Gram-), yeasts and fungi for the work Doutrina. Through aerobiology studies, the presence of biological particles in suspension was briefly characterized as potential sources of contamination in the vicinity of the studied works. In the sketch of the Doutrina and Eu Espero it was necessary to proceed to an intervention of conservation and restoration to return their aesthetic unity and correct reading of the works. In both interventions it was decided to apply conservation methodologies that were safe for the operator, the work and the environment, following whenever possible the concepts and practices associated with green conservation. The research undertaken in this dissertation confirmed that works of public art are subject to various factors that the conservator-restorer cannot control, highlighting the importance of monitoring them. The automation of the contact between citizens, specialists and works of Public Art through a citizen-science mobile application (App) that allows the active contribution of society in the documentation and active monitoring of the works was briefly discussed in this context.

Date of Award	17 Feb 2022
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Patrícia R. Costa (Supervisor), Eduarda Vieira (Co-Supervisor) & Rui Bordalo (Co-Supervisor)