Mounting Works on Paper with Neodymium Magnets
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Martina Noehles
Martina Noehles is a graphic arts and book conservator. She received her basic education in book- and paper conservation between 1980 and 1983 in the conservation workshop of the Niedersächsische Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Göttingen which was led by Günther Brannahl at that time. In 1988 she received her certification as a master bookbinder. Between 1983 and 1988 she led the conservation workshop of the Freien Deutschen Hochstift/Frankfurter Goethemuseum in Frankfurt am Main. In 1989 she established her own conservation studio, named Atelier Carta, and has been working freelance since then.
and
Lena Niehus
Lena Niehus studied paper conservation at the State Academy of Art and Design in Stuttgart (Germany) and gained her diploma in 2010. Presently she is employed at Atelier Carta, Mühlheim/Main, a conservation studio near Frankfurt am Main.
Abstract
Neodymium magnets have been in use as a mounting technique for works of art on paper for several years; however, the method is still in its infancy. These very strong magnets provide a valuable addition to the traditional methods of mounting artworks on paper and objects made from paper, textile, or other materials for exhibitions. They offer an interesting and elegant alternative to attachment with adhesives, especially when adhesives may not or cannot be applied to the original work. This article addresses the physical properties and manufacture of the magnets, including their coatings and nomenclature. Three successful case studies of mounting artworks on paper with these “super magnets” are presented here. In addition, the limits and possible difficulties of working with neodymium magnets are addressed, as well as precautionary measures to take when handling them.
Zusammenfassung
Montierung von Graphiken mit Neodym Magneten
Neodym Magnete werden seit einigen Jahren für die Montierung von Graphiken eingesetzt, auch wenn ihre Verwendung nach wie vor noch in den Kinderschuhen steckt. Diese extrem starken Magnete erweisen sich als eine wertvolle Ergänzung zu den traditionellen Fixierungsmöglichkeiten von Graphiken und Papierobjekten, Textilien und anderen Materialien in Ausstellungen. Sie bieten eine interessante und elegante Alternative zu Befestigungen mit Klebstoffen, besonders wenn Klebstoffe nicht am Original verwendet werden sollten bzw. dürfen. In diesem Artikel werden die Eigenschaften und die Herstellung der Magnete dargelegt, sowie ihre Beschichtung und Bezeichnungen.
Drei Varianten werden vorgestellt, bei denen diese „Supermagnete“sinnvoll für die Montierung von Kunst auf Papier eingesetzt werden konnten. Außerdem werden die Grenzen und möglichen Schwierigkeiten des Einsatzes von Neodym Magneten und notwendige Vorsichtsmaßnahmen beim Umgang mit den Magneten erläutert.
Résumé
Montage des œuvres sur papier avec des aimants Neodyme
Les aimants Neodyme sont utilisés comme technique de montage des œuvres d’art sur papier depuis plusieurs années. Cependant, cette pratique en est encore à ses débuts. Ces puissants aimants représentent une précieuse option en plus des méthodes traditionnelles de montage des œuvres d’art sur papier, textile ou autres matériaux pour les expositions. Ils sont une intéressante et élégante alternative à la fixation avec adhésif, surtout lorsque l’adhésif ne doit pas ou ne peut pas être appliqué sur l’œuvre originale. Cet article traite des propriétés physiques et de la confection des aimants, de leur revêtement ainsi que de leur nomenclature. Trois études de cas réussies de montage d’œuvres sur papier avec ces “super aimants” sont présentées dans cet article. Les limites et difficultés possibles de la mise en œuvre des aimants Neodyme sont également abordées, ainsi que les mesures de précaution à prendre lors de leur manipulation.
About the authors
Martina Noehles is a graphic arts and book conservator. She received her basic education in book- and paper conservation between 1980 and 1983 in the conservation workshop of the Niedersächsische Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Göttingen which was led by Günther Brannahl at that time. In 1988 she received her certification as a master bookbinder. Between 1983 and 1988 she led the conservation workshop of the Freien Deutschen Hochstift/Frankfurter Goethemuseum in Frankfurt am Main. In 1989 she established her own conservation studio, named Atelier Carta, and has been working freelance since then.
Lena Niehus studied paper conservation at the State Academy of Art and Design in Stuttgart (Germany) and gained her diploma in 2010. Presently she is employed at Atelier Carta, Mühlheim/Main, a conservation studio near Frankfurt am Main.
Acknowledgements
Sincere thanks to Ulrike Prange for her help with the drawings, Aimée Ducey-Gessner for her excellent translation of this article and Katharina Mackert for the suggestion to cover the magnets with adhesive-treated Japanese paper.
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Materials and suppliers
Japanese Paper
Paper Nao, Tokyo, Japan (K33 delivered in 1992)
Halbe-Rahmen
Lascaux 360 HV and 498 HV
www.lascaux.ch or www.deffner-johann.de
Magnetic foil/sheeting in rolls, 1 mm thick, 100 cm wide, brown,
geonit GmbH, Bad Kreuznach, www.geonit.com, Best. Nr. 545010
Metal foil coated with synthetic material, 0.5 mm thick
ZMC Zügner Magnetic Components GmbH, Starnberg
Mylar®
Neodymium magnets
Tissue paper in rolls
Archival Wrapping. Light Impressions
©2014 by De Gruyter
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Ideas for Mounting and Framing of Large-Scale Works on Paper
- Technical Note: A Rubber Stamp for Micro-Dot Hinging
- Mounting Works on Paper with Neodymium Magnets
- Mounting Paper Objects for the Permanent Exhibition at the German Historical Museum Berlin
- The “Triumphal Procession Miniatures” of Emperor Maximilian I: Conservation, Restoration, Mounting, Exhibition Presentation and the Development of a Storage Concept
- Stacked Storage System for Large Works on Paper
- Mounting and Re-framing a Large-Scale Work on Paper by Bruno Gironcoli Reusing the Original Frame
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Editorial
- Ideas for Mounting and Framing of Large-Scale Works on Paper
- Technical Note: A Rubber Stamp for Micro-Dot Hinging
- Mounting Works on Paper with Neodymium Magnets
- Mounting Paper Objects for the Permanent Exhibition at the German Historical Museum Berlin
- The “Triumphal Procession Miniatures” of Emperor Maximilian I: Conservation, Restoration, Mounting, Exhibition Presentation and the Development of a Storage Concept
- Stacked Storage System for Large Works on Paper
- Mounting and Re-framing a Large-Scale Work on Paper by Bruno Gironcoli Reusing the Original Frame
