As multiple hurricanes batter major centers of wealth, such as Miami and Houston, art conservators are scrambling to help owners of fine art preserve their works.
A 24-hour hotline has been set up by the National Heritage Responders (NHR) and mobile apps with practical tips on how to properly prepare, store, and treat water-damage are being promoted.
In addition, The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) is offering free emergency response assistance and advice for people affected by the storms. And ArtNet News has published tips for collectors.
Here’s some advice from the trade publication:
• Organize efforts.
• Take pictures and keep notes for reference (especially insurance).
• Examine objects in cool, dry spaces and keep air circulating with fans. To prevent mold, mix seven parts alcohol and one part water. Wear safety masks and
gloves before handling anything that has been submerged. Floodwaters can contain hazardous materials
• Remove works from their frames for repair, but do not separate paintings from stretchers
• Wet paintings should be kept horizontal and elevated, with the painted side up, away from heat or sunlight.
• Works stuck to glass should be left in the frame with the glass side down. Do not attempt to peel.
• Wet photographs stuck together should be immersed in clean water until they separate and then dried.
• Damp and partially wet photographs should be separated by wax paper and placed in resealable bags and placed in a freezer until frozen, and then spread out to thaw and dry. Textiles can also be frozen and dried this way.
• To air-dry works, place an absorbent material underneath the wet objects and then lay them flat. Do not hang wet items. Collectible books that are wet should remain closed and frozen (via the same process as photographs). They should be placed spine down in the freezer.
• Books stuck together can also be air dried, standing upright.