Metals
The ICOM-CC Metal Working Group (MWG) is the conservation community’s peek body engaged with the conservation, restoration and preservation of objects and structures made of metal or metallic alloys, of archaeological, indigenous, artistic, or historical origin. Members of the MWG are from all regions of the world and include conservators, conservation educators, corrosion scientists, and conservation engineers.
The principle objective of the Metal Working Group is to promote and facilitate dialogue and collaboration between conservators and the scientific community concerning the study, analysis and treatment of metal artifacts. It also disseminates information on current conservation practice, research, and education via various methods of communication including electronic web-based forums and social networks, through a biannual newsletter, and at the successful triennial interim meetings.
The goals of the MWG are:
• To encourage and promote interdisciplinary research throughout the world in the field of metal conservation with colleagues in fields such as art history, visual arts, archaeology, archaeometry, engineering and materials science.
• Share the results of this research at the triennial Working Group interim meeting.
• Explore creative collaborations with other fields of research and investigate methods to better document and treat metal artefacts through a variety of traditional and new techniques and methodologies.
• Encourage and increase the level of international communication and collaboration by embracing appropriate web-based tools.
• Increase use of the website forum as a clearinghouse for ideas and discussion.
• Encourage the regional groups and special interest groups to move towards using the web as a major tool to develop projects and interactive bibliographies.
• To deliver at least 2 newsletters within the triennial.
• To assist with organization of the next interim meeting in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2013.
• To further improve our communication and participation with conservation professionals in Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East.
• To encourage and increase membership in the Metal Working Group.
National Contacts: National contacts perform an important role for the MWG. The primary functions of the contact are to promote the MWG and help disseminate information about the activities and current program to members and other interested groups in their country, particularly with regard to the interim meeting of the WG. National contacts also help increase membership where possible; maintain communication with the coordinator and assistant coordinators where appropriate; and gather and contribute relevant information for the MWG newsletter and BROMEC.