PROBLEMÁTICA DA ILUMINAÇÃONA CONSERVAÇÃO PREVENTIVA DE COLEÇÕES EMMUSEUS

Abstract

This extended abstract presents some aspects of the ongoing research for the first author's master's dissertation. The theme of museum lighting is discussed, dealing with the dialectic between exhibiting and preserving, while taking into account human comfort requirements, and also minimizing risks of photo deterioration of exposed objects, since visible, ultraviolet and infrared radiation can damage collections. The first research stage consisted of a theoretical review of lighting requirements in exhibition spaces, and of fundamental parameters for preventive conservation of collections. The main kinds of photo deterioration damage are addressed, as well technical standards and the state of the art of lighting technology for preservation of cultural assets. The method consisted of analyzing lighting strategies in the case study: Abílio Barreto Historical Museum (MhAB), located in Belo Horizonte-MG, with focus on preventive conservation of collections, and in balance with human lighting comfort requirements. One seeks to verify how this museographic space behaves in face of the requirements raised from literature review. The current research phase includes gauging of luxmeters and preliminary measurements in pre-selected museum rooms. Next steps involve measurements of illuminances in vertical and horizontal planes, relevant to the expography. Those will be made during continuous periods (three to five days). Computer simulations will be runned using Climate Studio software, in order to check if the building lighting performance meets technical standards of collection preventive conservation. Preliminary results show that sactisfatory gauging of the meters, and the lighting strategies in the museum rooms are being identified. Illuminance isocurves were generated for the pre-selected rooms.