Scale Model of Monumental Outdoor Sculpture “Big Sweep”

Object Description

The object is a scale model maquette of the large outdoor sculpture “Big Sweep” displayed outside the nearby Denver Art Museum. From visual inspection the maquette appears likely to be constructed of similar material components as the larger final sculpture. The sculpture depicts a yellow handled dusting brush with curving red and brown bristles and a blue slotted dust-pan, along with two crumpled paper balls.   

Treatment

In accordance with AIC documentation guidelines the object was photographed Before, During, and After treatment. Localized testing was conducted to determine chemical sensitivity of the object and suitability of any materials used in the treatment. Testing indicated the ‘ball’ itself is fairly stable, it was unreactive to all solvents tested. However, the paint residue remaining around the damaged area was fairly solvent sensitive; this likely indicates the painted surface of the brush, bristles, and dust-pan are also sensitive. 

In studio, the detached ‘paper ball’ was gently surface cleaned to remove any dust or detritus utilizing   soft brushes, microfiber cloths, and a HEPA filtered variable suction vacuum.   The ball was cleaned overall with distilled water on soft microfiber cloths   and swabs, as appropriate. The stress crack was filled with a suitable reversible conservation grade adhesive. A compatible epoxy putty was used to complete the structural repair to the missing corner while leaving an opening to allow later reattachment to the extant anchor on the sculpture onsite. 

Onsite, the sculpture was gently surface cleaned to remove any dust or detritus utilizing soft brushes, microfiber cloths, and a HEPA filtered variable suction vacuum. In some areas,   particularly the yellow broom handle, extensive fly-spotting was  visible. This was cleaned locally with distilled water on soft microfiber cloths and swabs, as appropriate. Additional   accretions (both white and black marks) were cleaned from the base and other areas in a similar manner.  

Once overall cleaning of  the sculpture was completed the ‘paper ball’ was repositioned in its original location and immobilized with wedges, straps, and other appropriate stabilizers for reattachment. A suitable adhesive was used at each attachment point. An epoxy putty was used exclusively at the right point, as this area had to be built up extensively to provide structural support. The fills were bulked with medium density Japanese mulberry paper strips for added strength. The left point was initially tacked with a   quick-setting plastic specific epoxy, to allow for management of the complex longer-setting right repair. The left point was later filled and structurally bulked with the epoxy putty and Japanese paper. 

The fills were inpainted to match the surrounding original surface with Golden fluid acrylic colors, and Golden gloss media to adjust the sheen.  The object was gently surface cleaned again after treatment to remove any debris or residues generated during treatment and the platform was also cleaned to the extent possible.