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Completed projects of the Conservation Institute.

Project name:     A–C     D–H     I–L     M–P     Q–T     U–Z




Adobe Consolidation (1988–1995)
The Getty Conservation Institute, in collaboration with the Museum of New Mexico State Monuments, conducted a long–term research project on adobe consolidation at historic Fort Selden.

Alternative Climate Controls for Historic Buildings (2003–2010)
The goal of this project is to demonstrate the application of controlled ventilation and heating or dehumidification as viable climate control strategies for improving collection environments in historical buildings in hot and humid regions.

Antibody Research (2006–2010)
This project used the analytical technique of Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) to identify proteins in binding media, such as animal glue, egg, and milk, as well as polysaccharides in plant gums.

Archaeological Conservation & Site Management (1987–1993)
The courses and workshops in this project were developed to increase awareness of the need to apply basic conservation principles in the care of archaeological materials.

Architectural Records, Inventories, and Information Systems for Conservation (ARIS) (2005–2009)
This advanced international course in architectural conservation, heritage recording, and information management was offered in partnership with ICCROM.

Asian Organic Colorants (2006–2010)
This project aims to develop a strategy for the analysis of organic colorants used as textile dyes and organic pigments in Asia.

Athenian Pottery Project (2011–2016)
The Athenian Pottery project sought to understand, at a fundamental level, the materials and techniques employed by ancient artisans to create the iconic red and black figure pottery of ancient Athens.

Binding Media (1989–1999)
The Getty Conservation Institute's scientific program developed methodologies to identify binding media in paint.

Built Heritage in Southeast Asia: Conservation Education and Training Initiative (2004-2009)
This project assessed education and training needs pertaining to built heritage conservation in Southeast Asia, defined provisionally as the region bounded by the countries of the Mekong River: Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar.

Chaco Canyon (1991–1996)
The Institute collaborated with the U.S. National Park Service to investigate, develop, and field test, on a limited scale, protective strategies for preserving archaeological sites with standing architectural remains.

China Principles (1997–2015)
China Principles aimed to collaboratively develop national guidelines for cultural heritage conservation and management that respected and reflected Chinese traditions and approaches to conservation.

Cleaning of Paintings (1987–1989)
This series of courses addressed the care and treatment of easel paintings.

Collections in Hot & Humid Environments (1997–2002)
The project goal was to demonstrate the efficacy of sustainable climate control strategies for improving collection environments in historical buildings in hot and humid regions.

Concrete Art in Argentina and Brazil(2016–2018)
The aim of this project was to develop a comprehensive understanding of the material and process-based decisions made by artists working in the concrete and Neo-concrete vein in Argentina and Brazil during the mid- twentieth century. A project of the Modern and Contemporary Art Research Initiative.

Conservation of América Tropical (1988–2012)
The project completed the conservation of the David Alfaro Siqueiros mural and constructed a shelter, viewing platform, and an interpretive center that places the mural in its historical and artistic context.

Conservation of Mosaics in Situ (1998–2009)
The project addressed a number of important issues related to the conservation and management of ancient mosaic pavements in situ.

Conservation of Photographic Materials (1987–1994)
The focus of these courses was the conservation and preventive care of photographic materials, especially historic photographs and negatives.

Conservation of Polychromed Wooden Altarpieces (2000–2007)
The goal of this project was to develop several different kinds of reference materials that would promote an integrated methodological approach to the conservation of polychromed wooden altarpieces.

Conservation and Management of the Tomb of Tutankhamen (2009–2019)
The goal of this project, done in partnership with Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, was the conservation and management of the tomb of Tutankhamen.

Conservation and Rehabilitation Plan for the Kasbah of Taourirt (2011–2016)
This project aimed to develop a methodology for the conservation and rehabilitation of this traditional earthen ensemble that can be be used as a model for similar earthen sites in the region. A project of the Earthen Architecture Initiative.

Conservation of Rock Art (1987–1990)
These short and long–term courses focused on rock art conservation, site protection, and site management.

Conservation of the St. Vitus Mosaic in Prague (1992–2008)
The project developed and applied an appropriate system of protection for the 14th–century glass mosaic on St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.

Conservation of Wall Paintings (1985–1991)
This training project was a three–year diploma course in the conservation of wall paintings in partnership with the Courtauld Institute in London.

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Desalination of Porous Building Materials (2006–2010)
This project addressed the knowledge gap concerning poulticing of salts from carved stone and wall paintings and worked to establish guidelines for conservators on the use of desalination systems for building materials.

Directors' Retreats for Conservation Education (2002–2008)
The primary goal of this project was the enhancement of conservation education by providing senior-level educators opportunities for reflection, discussion and renewal.

Disaster Preparedness & Response (1992)
This project encompassed a number of initiatives intended to assist museums and other collecting institutions in the protection of cultural property from disasters.

Documenting Spiral Jetty (2009)
In 2009, the GCI and Dia Art Foundation undertook documentation of the Spiral Jetty using aerial balloon photography and other techniques.

Environmental Guidelines for Collections (1999–2002)
This project developed a reference within the mechanical engineering professional literature for engineers responsible for designing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems for museums, archives, and libraries.

Gels Cleaning Research (1998–2003)
The objective of this research was to answer important questions regarding the use of solvent–based gels as cleaning systems for surfaces.

Great Sphinx (1990–1992)
The Getty Conservation Institute, in collaboration with the Egyptian Antiquities Organization, conducted an environmental monitoring study of the Great Sphinx at the Giza Plateau outside of Cairo.

Historic Buildings, Collections & Sites (2002–2003)
This course, on sustainable strategies for conservation, management and use, was offered in partnership with University College London.

Hominid Trackway at Laetoli (1992–1998)
Through conservation and site maintenance, the Getty Conservation Institute worked with the government of Tanzania to protect the 3.6 million–year–old hominid footprints at Laetoli, the most ancient traces yet found of humanity's ancestors.

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Injection Grouts for the Conservation of Architectural Surfaces: Research and Evaluation (2004–2013)
The objective of the project was to evaluate working properties and performance characteristics of injection grouts for the conservation of architectural surfaces and to provide reliable tools for conservators and conservation scientists to assess and compare different grouts in the laboratory and field.

Insect Control with the Fumigant Vikane (1986–1990)
The Getty Conservation Institute investigated potential adverse effects of pest control agents—especially the fumigant Vikane—on the materials of museum artifacts and historic structures.

International Course on Stone Conservation (2008–2015)
This advanced international course in the conservation of stone was held in Rome and coorganized by ICCROM and the GCI.

Iraq Cultural Heritage Conservation Initiative (2004-2011)
This initiative aimed to mitigate threats to and repair damage sustained by Iraq's cultural heritage, and to rebuild the country's professional conservation and heritage management capacity.

Latin American Consortium (1997–2002)
The primary objective of the Latin American Consortium was to enhance preventive conservation in the region by strengthening training.

Lime Mortars & Plasters (1998–2009)
The general aim of this research project was to enhance knowledge of the fundamental properties and performance of high–calcium lime mortars and plasters in order to provide a wider basis for the appropriate choice of materials and methods in the conservation of this widely used building material.

Los Angeles Historic Resource Survey Project (2000–2015)
The goals of this project were to research the objectives, methods, funding, and incentives employed in a comprehensive citywide survey in Los Angeles and to work with city decision-makers and stakeholders to implement a survey program.

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Magnesian Limestone Project (2004–2009)
The goal of the project was to provide a scientific foundation for the development of conservation interventions for magnesian limestone.

Management Planning (2009–2013)
This project analyzed the GCI's experiences in conservation management planning, identified prevailing needs in the field of heritage management, and developed potential ways in which the GCI can address existing gaps in the field.

Maya Initiative (1999–2009)
The initiative aimed to reinforce and develop conservation practices through collaborative efforts in order to resolve common problems in the region.

Middle Eastern Geodatabase for Antiquities (MEGA) - Jordan (2007–2014)
Development and implementation of a bilingual Arabic-English, web-based national geospatial information system for Jordan's Department of Antiquities (DoA) was the central focus of this project.

Museum Lighting Research (2002–2015)
This project sought to reduce the damage to works of art on paper caused by museum lighting through the reevaluation of current illumination guidelines and the testing and design of new lighting. A project of the Managing Collections Environment Initiative.

Nitrogen Anoxia Research (1987–1999)
The Institute investigated the efficacy of nitrogen environments as a safe, effective means to prevent museum objects from deterioration caused by biological factors and oxidation.

Organic Materials in Wall Paintings (2003–2010)
The objective of the project is to improve the practice of wall paintings conservation by developing a methodology for identification of organic materials used as binders, which are particularly vulnerable during intervention.

Organization of World Heritage Cities World Symposia (2003–2013)
This project, aimed at improving conservation and management of historic cities, involved collaboration with the Organization of World Heritage Cities in the organizing of their World Symposia.

Orpheus Mosaic (1988–1989)
The Institute, working with the Department of Antiquities of Cyprus, undertook the conservation of the Orpheus mosaic, one of several mosaics located in the archaeological zone at Paphos.

Panel Paintings Initiative (2008–2018)
This multi year project—a collaboration of the Getty Conservation Institute, the Getty Foundation and the J. Paul Getty Museum—addressed the need for educational resources and training opportunities in the structural treatment of panel paintings.

Performance of Pollutant Adsorbents(2001–2003)
The objective of this project was to increase the protection of objects placed in display cases or other microenvironments from attack by indoor–generated gaseous air pollutants.

Permanence & Application of Conservation Materials (1983–1996)
The Getty Conservation Institute researched selected conservation materials, including cellulose ethers, acrylic and alkoxysilane stone consolidants, parylene, water–borne resins, and common generic abrasives, and studied the effects of aqueous light bleaching.

Pest Management (1994–1996)
The management and control of pests in museums was the topic of these courses.

Pollutants in the Museum Environment (1985–1998)
The Getty Conservation Institute researched the risks posed to museum collections by atmospheric pollutants, studied passive sampling devices, and investigated mitigation methodologies.

Poultice Desalination of Porous Building Materials (2010)
A hands-on workshop on the use of poultice treatments for desalination. A project of the Research into Practice Initiative.

Preservation of Photographs and Photograph Collections (2008–2017)
The goal of this project was to advance the field of photograph conservation by building the capacity of professionals who care for and manage collections.

Preventive Conservation (1990–1995)
These courses focused on issues of preventive conservation—the management of the environmental conditions under which collections are housed and used.

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Quito (1991–1997)
The Institute collaborated with the Municipality of Quito and the non–profit Caspicara Foundation on a number of projects to preserve the city's historic colonial city center, a World Heritage site and the oldest capital in South America.

Recording, Documentation, & Information Management (RecorDIM) Initiative (2003–2007)
The objective of the project is to identify the critical gaps between those who provide the recording and documentation tools utilized in conservation and the conservation professionals who use them—and to work to bridge those gaps.

Research on the Values of Heritage (1998–2005)
This project provided tools and methods to conservators and allied professionals for assessing values and for applying the results of such assessments to sustainable conservation and management solutions.

Researching Florentine Workshop Practice (2009–2012)
This project sought to better understand fourteenth-century Florentine workshop practice and the ways materials chosen by artists working in both panel painting and manuscript illumination impact the present-day appearance, stability, and conservation of these works.

Retablo of the Church of Santo Domingo (1997–2000)
The Getty Conservation Institute, the Instituto Nacional de Antropologİa e Historia of Mexico, and the community of Yanhuitlán, worked together on a project that produced extensive documentation and structural analysis of the main retablo of the colonial Church of Santo Domingo.

Rock Art of Baja California (1994–1996)
The Getty Conservation Institute collaborated with the Instituto Nacional de Antropologİa e Historia in Mexico to investigate the condition of cave paintings in the Sierra de San Francisco in Baja California, and to recommend policies for their long–term conservation.

Royal Bas–Reliefs of Abomey (1992–1997)
With the government of Benin, the Institute preserved a unique record of the reign of Dahomey's King Glélé by conserving the oldest bas–reliefs from the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a World Heritage Site.

Salt Research: Mechanisms of Salt Decay & Methods of Mitigation (2003–2008)
The objective of this project is to improve scientific understanding of how stone deteriorates due to the action of water and salts, and to develop effective mitigation and conservation procedures.

Seismic Stabilization of Historic Structures (1990–1996)
The Getty Conservation Institute researched and developed methods to provide seismic stabilization for historically and culturally significant buildings located in earthquake regions.

Selective Preventive Conservation Research (1985–1998)
Focusing on management and preventive measures that stabilize materials and slow the rate of deterioration, the Getty Conservation Institute studied environmental controls, appropriate storage, and the monitoring of objects.

Site Conservation at the Mogao & Yungang Grottoes (1990–1995)
The Institute collaborated with the State Administration for Cultural Heritage of the People's Republic of China, to research and implement site stabilization and conservation strategies and to train technical staff at two ancient Buddhist grotto sites.

Southern African Rock Art Project (2003–2014)
This project sought to strengthen rock art preservation, conservation, accessibility, and management in the Southern African region.

Stone Deterioration & Treatment (1986–1991)
The Getty Conservation Institute assessed the biodeterioration susceptibility of stone consolidants, evaluated the deterioration of monumental stones in situ, and examined the use of epoxy resins for stone consolidation.

Teamwork for Integrated Emergency Management (2004–2008)
The aim of this course was increased capacity of museum professionals in integrated emergency management.

Terra (1998–2005)
The Getty Conservation Institute in partnership with the International Centre for Earth Construction–School of Architecture of Grenoble (CRATerre–EAG) and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and the Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) collaborated on activities focused on the study and conservation of earthen architecture in the areas of education, research, planning and implementation, and advocacy.

Tomb of Nefertari (1986–1992)
The Institute collaborated with the Egyptian Antiquities Organization to conserve the 3,200–year–old wall paintings in the Tomb of Queen Nefertari, and to develop a long–term maintenance plan for the tomb.

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Valley of the Queens (2006–2011)
The project sought to develop and implement a conservation and management plan for the Valley of the Queens on the west bank of the Nile in partnership with Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

Wall Paintings Conservation at Mogao Grottoes (1997–2010)
This project aimed to identify and understand the causes and mechanisms of deterioration of the wall paintings in Cave 85 to design strategies and implement conservation actions that were adaptable to other cave temples at Mogao, as well as other Silk Road sites.

XRF Boot Camp for Conservators (2013–2020)
A series of focused workshops on the fundamentals of X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and data interpretation. A project of the Research into Practice Initiative.

Xunantunich (1992–1996)
The Getty Conservation Institute worked at the Maya site of Xunantunich with archaeologists from UCLA and the Department of Archaeology in Belize to address some of the problems of conserving archaeological sites in humid tropical environments.