Caring for Bufano’s Peace Sculptures in a Time of Unrest
This summer, our conservation team had the opportunity to work on two significant outdoor sculptures by Bay Area artist Beniamino Bufano: Peace in San Francisco and Hand of Peace across the Bay in Walnut Creek. Bufano’s artwork can be found in public places throughout the Bay Area. He was an Italian artist who first arrived […]
Impressions of the James Castle Shed and Trailer
Born in 1899 in Garden Valley, Idaho, artist James Castle gained worldwide renown, with his works in the collections of institutions such as the Smithsonian Institute and the Whitney Museum. A major figure in American folk art, he was also deaf, communicating primarily through his art, which relied on humble materials such as soot, spit, […]
Rope Swings – Rope Access Reduces Inspection and Repair Costs
Maintaining commercial buildings, especially older ones, can be full of surprises. Frequently, the focus is on interiors: lighting, air quality, access, and so on. It’s the exterior that is sometimes forgotten about and as a result can develop conditions that take us off guard. Falling hazards due to loose façade material are unfortunately more common […]
An Interview with Kenneth Varner – Cemeteries as Repositories of Historic Resources
Recently, our principal David Wessel talked with Kenneth Varner, president and chief executive officer of Cypress Lawn, to get his take on the role of historic structures in cemeteries.
Cambodia – A Conservator’s Dream Come True
Upon landing in Hong Kong on our way to Cambodia, I checked my email. Waiting for me was a message from the Cambodian Visa Department. My heart sunk; what could be wrong? I was sure my papers were in order and we were all set for our visit to Siem Reap. I opened the message […]
Preserving the Handiwork of Time and Art: The David Ireland House
As a conservator, I started out conserving historic building materials and finishes, but that’s morphed into working with art and sculpture, too, like the murals in Coit Tower and the gypsum-and-latex door surrounds by Tom Otterness for the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Recently I’ve had the opportunity to work at a fascinating intersection […]
Varnish as Art: Restoring the Finishes at 500 Capp Street
I remember the first time I walked into David Ireland’s house, not long after the 500 Capp Street Foundation hired us to handle the conservation of this building that was also a major work of art by an amazing artist. I was immediately drawn in by the warm, lustrous, amber-colored walls—the result of the layers […]
San Francisco Façade Inspection Ordinance
It was almost 25 years ago when a client called us and asked if we could stop by their building in downtown San Francisco—they had something to show us. When we arrived, the building engineer brought out a large piece of terra cotta masonry that was found on the sidewalk over the weekend. It matched […]
A Stabilized Relic
The de la Montanya Monument was constructed in 1909 to house the remains of the prominent de la Montanya family. Unfortunately, the family dispersed, and the descendants did not have the ability to maintain their ancestors’ resting place. It should come as no surprise that the cost of restoring a deteriorated masonry building can prove […]
Coit Tower – Conservation Work Continues
Conservation work is moving forward on the murals, stucco, and lobby-mounted oil canvas paintings up at Coit Tower in San Francisco. ARG/CS conservators are working with Anne Rosenthal Fine Art, the < a href=”http://www.sfartscommission.org/”>San Francisco Arts Commission, and SF Recreation and Park Department on the project, and we are blogging about the process as it […]