The Microfading Tester International Discussion Group (MFT-IDG) will host its first webinar titled "Microfading Testers In Use: Whitmore, Fotonowy, and Retroreflective" on Friday, November 14, from 8-930am (Los Angeles) / 11am-1230pm (New York) / 1-230pm (Rio de Janeiro) / 4-530pm (Edinburgh) / 8-930pm (Dubai) / 12-130am (next day, Singapore). Attendance is free, but requires event registration at the following link: https://getty.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iNfBtLtjQ8qFfVBiQ0Ngrg
This live webinar will review three iterations of the microfading tester (MFT), which is used to assess the in situ light sensitivity of an object. Heritage institutions that have been long-time MFT users continue to rely upon instruments based on the original design by conservation scientist Paul Whitmore (Whitmore, Pan, and Bailie; JAIC 1999), which employs a 0/45 measurement geometry and a xenon-arc light source (Whitmore MFT). In recent years, many institutions have turned to an MFT developed by Instytut Fotonowy that uses an LED light source and incorporates more automation (Fotonowy MFT), while others have adopted an MFT design by Jacob Thomas using a retroreflective head that allows for flexibility in the measurement angle (Retroreflective MFT). Topics to be discussed for each MFT include acquisition, assembly, training, portability, maintenance, procedure, and examples of use.
Three speakers, all of whom are experienced MFT users, will introduce the different instrument types: Kirsten Dunne ACR, Senior Projects Conservator, National Galleries of Scotland (Whitmore MFT); Abed Haddad, Assistant Conservation Scientist, Museum of Modern Art (Fotonowy MFT); and JP Brown, Senior Conservator, Field Museum (Retroreflective MFT). Their presentations will be followed by a panel discussion and Q&A moderated by Cindy Connelly Ryan, Preservation Science Specialist, Library of Congress; and Vincent Laudato Beltran, Scientist, Getty Conservation Institute.
For those interested but unable to attend, the webinar will be recorded and posted to the AIC YouTube channel. Further discussion about MFT practice and lighting policy development can be found in the MFT-IDG online community, which you can join for free. The MFT-IDG is supported by the American Institute for Conservation (AIC) and sponsored by the AIC's Preventive Care Network. Thanks also to the Getty for supporting organization of this MFT-IDG webinar.
We hope to see many of you at the November 14 event and in our MFT-IDG community!
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Vincent Laudato Beltran
Scientist, Getty Conservation Institute
Chair, MFT-IDG
vbeltran@getty.edu
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