At the end of 2017, I received a phone call from the general contractor organizing the renovation of the Smithsonian museum’s the National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. The renovation would include the mural removal of 5 enormous iconic murals and since I was a pre-approved mural restoration expert for the federal government they requested my input to help them understand the potential problems of this endeavor.
The problems were compounded by the task of asbestos abatement (and probably lead also) and as an expert art conservation consultant, I worked with them, tweeking the details for about 8 months.
Though the general contractor was infinitely qualified to undertake a project like this, they had no expertise in the protection and the conservation treatments of historic murals. My participation filled the gap of knowledge they felt unsure about.
For an overview of past mural restoration projects during the last 40+ years of professional art conservation practice, click on this link: http://www.FineArtConservationLab.com/mural/
For background into for professional consultation services, click here: http://www.FineArtConservation Lab.com/consultations/
Questions, call
Scott M. Haskins, Virginia Panizzon, Oriana Montemurro
Art Conservators
805 564 3438 faclartdoc@gmail.com
Figuring out the construction of the murals was key to understanding the removal process. Note the join in the fabric down the middle of the plane.
The X-15 captured by imagination as a kid. Its always a thrill to see it again.
A hero of mine and a great technological feat.
Brigader General Chuck Yeager Good Luck to Scott Haskins. This photo was a Thank You for a consultation on a Flier’s Wall on Andrew’s Air Force Base that included the signature of Amelia Earhart.
The Bell X-1 rocket plane piloted by Chuck Yeagar in 1947 which broke the sound barrier (which today hangs in the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum) passed Mach 1 following a drop from a B-29 airplane. It was named Glamorous Glennis, after his first wife. The monumental “top secret” event was kept classified until 1948, but once it hit the public airwaves, Yeager became a celebrity. He also received a prestigious aviation award called the Collier Trophy, which called his flight the greatest achievement in aviation since the Wright brothers first took flight in 1903.
