STHC-L: The Science, Technology and Health Care Archives Forum

Re: mold as art

• Date:   Mon, 17 Jan 2005 14:38:10 -0800
• To:   sthc-l@library.ucla.edu
• From:   Russell A. Johnson   < rjohnson AT library.ucla.edu >
• Subject:   Re: mold as art
• Message-ID:   45759445b133.45b133457594@library.ucla.edu

Forwarded to STHC-L (Science, Technology and Health Care Archives Forum) from ARCHIVES. 
If you respond to the list, send a cc: to leah@mattress.org

a photo of the 1995 series, installed in the gallery, is at:
http://www.sculpture.org/documents/scmag97/mttrss/sm-mtrss.htm

Russell Johnson
STHC-L administrator
rjohnson@library.ucla.edu

----- Original Message -----
From: Leah [leah@MATTRESS.ORG]
Date: Monday, January 17, 2005 11:24 am
Subject: mold as art

hello,

i have a possible dilemma that i would like some input and advice with. 
i am currently engaged in the process of inventorying, cataloging and 
repacking/reorganizing the archives at the mattress factory. there is 
one piece that i'm not sure how to approach in terms of storage. It is 
"phase of nigreda" by landislav carny. we have 8 - 10 plexiglas boxes 
containing a papier-mâché head that has phosphorus and banana pulp on 
them. they are intended to decay. my question is should i pack the 
plexiglas boxes in another storage container? should i store them 
outside of the archives in their own little space? i am worried about 
the mold escaping and infecting the other objects in the archives.
Also, there is a head that is not in a box, rather it is being stored 
in a plastic bag. What is the best way to contain this piece of art 
yet not spread the mold?

any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

leah durand
the mattress factory
500 sampsonia way
pittsburgh, pa 15212