Science, Technology and European Cultural Heritage. Proceedings of the European Symposium, Bologna, Italy, 13–16 June 1989

982 Pages·1991·33.257 MB·English

by  N.S. Baer, C. Sabbioni and A.I. Sors (Eds.)

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND
EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE
Proceedings of the European Symposium,
Bologna, Italy, 13-16 June 1989
Edited by
N.S. Baer
Conservation Center
Institute of Fine Arts
New York University
14 E. 78th Street
New York, NY 10021, U.S.A.
C. Sabbioni
CNR, Istituto per lo Studio
dei Fenomeni Fisici e
Chimici della Bassa ed
Alta Atmosphère
via de Castaguoli I
40126 Bologna, Italy
A.I. Sors
Commission of the European Communities
Directorate-General for Science, Research and Development
Environment Research Programme
Rue de la Loi 200
B-1049 Brussels, Belgium
Published for the Commission of the European Communities by
Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd
Butterworth-Heinemann Ltd
Linacre House, Jordan Hill, Oxford 0X2 8DP
®· PART OF REED INTERNATIONAL BOOKS
OXFORD LONDON BOSTON
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TOKYO TORONTO WELLINGTON
First published 1991
Publication No EUR 13110 EN of the Commission of the European Communities,
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© ECSC-EEC-EAEC, Brussels-Luxembourg 1991
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British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
European Symposium 'Science, Technology and
European Cultural Heritage' (1989 Bologna, Italy)
Science, technology and European cultural heritage:
Proceedings of the European Symposium, Bologna,
Italy, 13-16 June 1989.
1. Title II. Baer, N.S. III. Sabbioni, C.
IV. Sors, A.I.
702.8094
ISBN 0 7506 0237 6
Library of Congress Cataloguing-ln-Publlcation Data
Science, technology, and European cultural heritage: proceedings of
the European symposium, Bologna, Italy, 13-16 June 1989/edited by
N.S. Baer, C. Sabbioni, A.I. Sors.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-7506-0237-6
1. Cultural property, Protection of—Europe—Congresses.
2. Architecture—Europe—Conservation and restoration—Congresses.
3. Historic buildings—Europe—Conservation and restoration—
Congresses. 4. Historic sites—Europe—Conservation and
restoration—Congresses. I. Baer, N. S. II. Sabbioni, C.
III. Sors, A. I. (André I.) IV. Commission of the European
Communities.
CC135.S35 1991
363.6'9Ό94—dc20 91 -3428
CIP
Printed in England by Clays Ltd, St Ives pic
PREFACE
This book contains the updated Proceedings of the European
Symposium "Science, Technology and European Cultural Heritage,"
which was held in Bologna, Italy, 13-16 June 1989. It was organized by
the Commission of the European Communities' Directorate General for
Science, Research and Development, in association with the National
Research Council (CNR) of Italy, and formed part of the Ninth Centenary
Celebrations of the University of Bologna.
The Symposium brought together more than 400 people from within the
European Community, from other parts of Europe, from North America
and beyond; many of them internationally recognized scientists,
conservators, art historians, and architects. Also participating were staff
of national and international agencies.
The Symposium had a number of important and broad objectives, as
follows:
o To assess the major problems in this field and the role of scinece
and technology in their solution.
o To identify and discuss the main research and development issues
which are common to a range of cultural heritage problems and to
increase the coherence of current efforts across this multi-
disciplinary field.
o To enhance the applicability of research and development to this
field through better matching with the real needs of conservators,
restorers, policy makers and the general public.
o To catalyze the development of a European research community
in this field.
o To recommend specific research and development directions for
the future, including the provision of a scientific basis for European
Community policies on environment and culture.
Toward these aims, a wide-ranging and flexible scientific programme was
prepared, including invited state-of-the-art reviews, illustrative case
studies, panel discussions and poster presentations.
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During the final Session, the Symposium was addressed by Sir John
Kendrew, Nobel laureate and past-president of the International Council
of Scientific Unions (ICSU).
Though the editors have critically reviewed all of the papers and posters
and have communicated with the authors, the limits of the camera-ready
publication process and the desire to provide as complete a record of
the Symposium as possible, leave the end result short of full peer review.
It should also be noted that for a majority of the authors, the requirement
of publication in English deprived them of the richness of expression
associated with their writings in their native languages. We acknowledge
with gratitude their cheerful response to the idiosyncratic nature of
scientific English.
Based upon this material, the book also includes an introductory
overview of the critical issues related to scientific and technical aspects of
the protection and conservation of European cultural heritage.
The organizers consider that the original objectives of the Symposium
have been fully satisfied. The meeting provided a comprehensive review
of the state of the art across this field and also offered good insights into
the specific projects currently being undertaken. The discussions, both
within and outside the meeting room, were lively and constructive. It is
hoped that this Symposium has provided some directions for future
progress in this vital and complex research area.
The Commission of the European Communities and the Editors wish to
thank the Scientific Committee for its advice in the organization of this
Symposium. The support of Ph. Bourdeau, H. Ott, G. Angeletti and G.
Weidenbach in the CEC, and of D. Camuffo (Padova) and M. del Monte
(Bologna) are gratefully acknowledged. Finally, this book would not have
seen the light of day without the patient, organized and efficient work of
Mrs. Jenny Lebis in Brussels as well as of Ms. Marlis Müller in New York.
N.S. Baer
C. Sabbioni
A.I. Sors
xx
SCIENZA, TBCNCHJOGIA E PATRBCNIO EGRGPEO
Introduzione di Manfredo Macioti
Commissione délie Comunità Europee
II Simposio si iscrive nel quadro delle celebrazioni dei 900 anni
délia prima université d'Occidente (1088).
Bologna, città cosmopolita.
Come allora, abbiamo il piacere di poter contare sulla attiva
presenza al Simposio degli "Ultramontani" e dei "Citramontani".
Bologna, città d'Arte e di Storia.
Simboleggiata dal Palazzo di Re Enzo, dove ha luogo il Simposio.
E' nel XIII secolo ehe vi fu ospite (prigioniero) Enzo, figlio di
Federico II di Svevia, (Hohenstaufen).
Bologna, la dotta, Città delle scienze.
Dalla scienza giuridica delle origini, alla medicina del XII
secolo; a Marcello Malpighi nel '600; a Luigi Galvani ehe qui a
Bologna pubblicö nel 1791 il suo "De viribus electricitatis in
motu musculari". Quasi 100 anni fa dalle collini bolognesi
Guglielmo Marconi effettuava le prime trasmissioni senza filo.
Oggi Bologna, con più di 2200 autori scientifici citati ogni anno
nella letteratura mondiale, é il terzo centro scientifico d'Italia
e si appresta a costruire il suo polo scienza-teenologia.
Importanza di conservare il nostro patrimonio culturale europeo,
del quale Bologna offre tanti elementi d'eccezione. Alla vigilia
del Grande mercato senza frontière del 1992, questo sforzo di
conservare le nostre radici umanistiche é particolarmente urgente.
Parte délia qualità délia nostra vita, parte délia specificità
europea. Le minacce al patrimonio culturale non sono state mai
tanto grandi : Il passare del tempo, i fattori ambientali, i
rischi di natura, l'urbanizzazione, l'industrializzazione, e le
pratiche agricole sempre più intense ... Tutti questi fattori
contribuiscono al degrado delle opère d'arte.
E' quindi essenziale ehe il meglio di quel ehe la scienza e la
tecnologia hanno da offrire sia applicato alla conservazione del
nostro patrimonio. Eppure, non lavoriamo ancora in modo razionale
in Europa. Citero, tra l'altro:
1) Le linee di comunicazione assai precarie tra scienziati ed
ingeneri da un lato e gli "utilizzatori" dall'altro
(restauratori, conservator!, architetti ...);
2) il lavoro si fa in modo frammentario, su monumenti ed opère
singole o "nazionali", senza allargare il discorso ad
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applicazioni più ampie, e senza adeguati interscmabi al di là
delle frontière. Manca un sottofondo, manca una massa critica
di ricerca fondamentale e strategica. Mancano pure norme
comuni, piani di studio moderni; mancano perfino, mi sembra,
riviste scientifiche rappresentative;
3) l'applicazione di conoscenze scientifiche e tecnologiche
esistenti al problema ehe ci intéressa, é insufficiente. Si
potrebbe fare assai più per utilizzare, in campo di
conservazione le tecnologie dell'olografia, delle membrane,
f
dei laser, del telerilevamento ...
Ci sono in materia di ricerca scientifica varie Qrgnaizzazioni
internazionali ehe svolgono attività di primo piano : citerö
l'ICRCM, l'ICCMDS, il RILEM, l'ILC (tra le non-governative) e il
Consiglio d'Europa, la ECE delle NU, il CCMS della NATO, e il più
récente progetto EUROCARE di Eureka (tra le inter-governative)).
Per parte sua, la CEE ha responsabilité chiare (nell'Atto Unico
del 1987) in materia ambiente ed in materia di ricerche. La CEE
sta anche sviluppando elementi di una vera e propria politica
culturale. Ecco perché la Ccmunità Europea si intéressa aile
ricerche di protezione ambientale, ivi comprese le ricerche
necessarie alla protezione del patrimonio culturale comune. I
partecipanti al simposio troveranno riferimento al nostro lavoro
(CCE) nella Research Review inclusa nella documentazione, e negli
affissi (posters) in mostra. In sostanza si tratta di ricerche
finanziate direttamente da Bruxelles e, forse ancora più
importante, di coordinare e concertare le azioni di ricerca
nazionali. Uno dei mezzi pratici di coordinamento é la Newsletter
"European Cultural Heritage" (i partecipanti troveranno nella
documentazione il numéro spéciale su Bologna).
Anche questo Simposio é un esempio della nostra azione
comunitaria. I nostri obiettivi, nell'organizzare il Simposio,
sono francamente ambiziosi : (i) favorire migliori comunicazioni,
(ii) accelerare la catalisi di una vera e propria comunità
scientifica Europea, (iii) passare in rivista lo stato attuale
delle conoscenze; (iv) ottenere gli spunti necessari per definire
le future linee dell'azione di ricerca comunitaria (un punto
particolarmente importante).
Il Simposio é stato pensato (i) corne convergenza di valutazioni
orali dei principal! problemi scientifici e teenici; (ii) studi
puntualizzati aprofonditi (case studies); (iii) tavole rotonde
globali; (iv) posters illustrativi delle ultime novita in campo
ricerche. Il programma prevede una dimostrazione dell'on-line
Conservation Information Network del Getty Conservation Institute;
nonché una visita scientifica al complesso delle Chiese di S.
Stefano. Vorrei sottolineare ehe sono stati accordati al simposio
l'alto patronato del Présidente della Repubblica, nonché i
patronati dei tre Ministeri dell'Ambiente; dell'Université e della
Ricerca Scientifica e Tecnologica; e dei Béni Culturali e
Ambientali. Vorrei salutare la presenza oggi alla tribuna del
représentante del Governo italiano (il Prof. Sisinni). Vörrei
XXll
ringraziare il CNR (Prof. Maraldi), l'Université di Bologna (nella
persona del chiarissimo Pro-Rettore, il Comune (nella persona
dell'assessore Prof. La Forgia). I ringraziamenti della
Coninissione vanno anche al Comitato Consultativo Scientifico (ehe
conta esimi scienziati di vari Paesi Europei e degli USA).
Saluto la presenza dell'Onorevole Prof. Mario Fedini, già Ministro
della Ricerca e grande Europeista; e di Sir John Kendrew, laureato
del Premio Nobel per la Chimica (1962) e già Présidente dell'ICSU.
La Loro presenza ci onora tutti.
Finalmente "last but not least" ringrazio i inembri del Comitato
Qrganizzatore: Marco del Monte (Bologna), Dario Camuffo (Padova),
Antonio Cesari (Bologna) e Cristina Sabbioni (Bologna) senza
dimenticare i membro del nostro staff europeo: Heinrich Ott,
Andrew Sors e Gianni Angeletti.
Uno spéciale riconoscimento all'opera di Antonella Raimo e di
Lorella Censi dello Studio Raimo.
Prima di concludere permettetemi di citare il 4° principio
fondamentale della Magna Charta délie Université Europee,
elaborata qui a Bologna in occasione della Secularia Nona, nel
settembre dello scorso anno:
"Depositaria della tradizione dell'Umanesimo Europeo, ma con
l'ijnpegno costante di raggiungere il Sapere Universale,
l'Université, nell'esplicare le sue funzioni, ignora ogni
frontiera geografica o politica ed afferma la nécessita
inderogabile della conoscenza reciproca e dell'interazione delle
culture".
II senzo profondo di queste giornate d'incontro deve essere, a mio
awiso, quello di un'eccezionale occasione per discussioni globali
(e non specializzate). Vogliamo richiamare l'attenzione del mondo
della Scienza, del mondo della Cultura, del mondo Accademico, del
mondo Economico, delle Autorita politiche, nonché del Pubblico,
sull' importanza del nostro patrimonio culturale e sull'urgente
nécessita di studiarlo, preservarlo, restaurarlo e goderlo.
Parafrasando Ilya Prigogine, dirö ehe la scienza oggi significa il
pluralisme, la tecnologia oggi permette un livello di intercambi
sempre più approfondito. Usiamo questi strumenti per awiarci
verso quell ' immagine del mondo ehe Karl Popper preconizzava: una
imagine dove, accanto alle scienze fisiche c'é poste per i
fenomeni biologici, per la liberté dell'uomo e per la ragione.
XXlll
SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND EUROPEAN CULTURAL HERITAGE*
Welcoming Address by Manfredo Macioti
Chief Adviser, Commission of the European Communities (CEC)
Directorate General for Science, Research and Development
This Symposium is held within the framework of IX Centenary celebrations of the
University of Bologna, the first Western University, whose origins are traced to 1088.
Bologna a cosmopolitan city. As during that time, we have the pleasure of the active
presence at the Symposium of the "ultramontani" (transalpinians) and the "citramontani"
(natives).
Bologna a city of art and history, symbolized by the Palazzo di Re Enzo, where the
Symposium is held. It was here in the Xllth Century that Enzo, son of Frederick of
Swabia (Federico di Svevia) (Hohenstaufen), was a guest (prisoner).
Bologna, the learned city of the sciences, from the juridical science of its origins, to the
medicine of the 12th century; to Marcello Malpighi in 1600 and Luigi Galvani who here
in Bologna published in 1791 his "De viribus electricitatis in motu musculari". About 100
years ago Guglielmo Marconi carried out the first transmissions without wire from
Bologna's hills. Today Bologna, with more than 2200 scientific authors mentioned each
year in the world literature is the third scientific centre of Italy and is countinuing to
build its science-technology base.
It is of great importance to conserve our European cultural heritage, of which Bologna
offers many excellent examples. On the eve of the internal market of 1993, this effort to
conserve our humanistic roots is particularly urgent. This is part of the quality of our life,
part of the uniqueness of Europe. The threats to our cultural heritage have never been
so important: passage of time, environmental factors, natural risks, urbanization,
industrialization and more and more intensive agricultural practices. All these factors
contribute to the deterioration of the works of art.
Therefore, it is essential that the best of what science and technology have to offer is
applied to the conservation of our heritage. Yet in Europe we do not work in a rational
manner.
May I mention among other factors:
1) Communication is very limited between scientists and engineers on one side and the
users" on the other (restorers, conservators, architects, art historians, etc.).
This is a translated version of the address given in Italian.
XXIV
2) The work is done in a fragmentary way on monuments and single or "national" works
of art, without enlarging the scope to wider applications, and without adequate exchange
across borders. The background is absent, a critical mass of fundamental and strategic
research is lacking too, as are common rules and modern plans of study: even proper
scientific journals are lacking;
3) The application of scientific and technological knowledge to the problem we are
interested in is not sufficient. Much more could be done to use, in the field of
conservation, the technologies of holography, of membranes, lasers, remote sensing and
the like.
In the field of scientific research there are several international organizations which
undertake valuable activities: I am referring to ICCROM, ICOMOS, RILEM (among the
non-governmental) and the Council of Europe, the ECE of the UN, CCMS of NATO,
and the most recent project, EUROCARE of EUREKA (among the governmental). The
CEC has clear responsibilities (under the single Act of 1987) in the field of the
environment and of research. The CEC is also developing elements of a real and
Community-wide cultural policy. This is the reason why the European Community is
interested in environmental protection, including the research necessary for the
protection of the common cultural heritage. The participants in the Symposium will find
reference to our work (CEC) in the Research Review included in the documentation and
in the posters. This work consists of research funded directly by Brussels and, perhaps
even more important, coordination of national research actions. One of the practical
means of coordination is the Newsletter "European Cultural Heritage".
This Symposium is also an example of our Community action. Our objectives, in
organizing the Symposium, are frankly ambitious:
(i) to encourage better cooperation,
(ii) to catalyse the development of a real European scientific community,
(iii) to review the present state of knowledge,
(iv) to obtain the ideas necessary to define the future lines of the Community
research action (a particularly important point).
The Symposium has been designed to consist of (i) oral presentations of the main
scientific and technical problems; (ii) case studies; (iii) general round tables; (iv) posters
illustrating the most recent findings in the field of the research. The programme foresees
a demonstration of the on-line Conservation Information Network of the Getty
Conservation Institute and a scientific visit to the complex of the S.Stefano Churches. I
would underline that the Symposium has been granted the high patronage of the
President of the Italian Republic, as well as the patronages of the three Ministries of the
XXV
Environment; of the University and of Scientific and Technological Research; and of
Cultural and Environmental Goods. I would like to salute the presence today of the
representative of the Italian Government, Professor Sisinni. I would like to thank the
CNR, in particular Professor Maraldi, the University of Bologna (represented by the Pro-
Rector), and the Municipality, represented by the Alderman La Forgia. The thanks of
the Commission go also to the Scientific Advisory Committee which is composed of
distinguished scientists of several European Countries and of the USA.
I welcome in the audience the Honourable Professsor Mario Pedini, former Minister of
Research and a great European; and of Sir John Kendrew, Nobel Laureate for Chemistry
(1962) and President of ICSU. Their presence honours us all.
"Last but not least" I thank the members of the Organizing Committee: Marco del Monte
(Bologna), Dario Camuffo (Padova), Antonio Cesari (Bologna) and Christina Sabbioni
(Bologna) without forgetting the members of our European, staff: Heinrich Ott, Andrew
Sors and Gianni Angeletti. A special acknowledgement is made to Antonella Raimo and
Lorella Censi of the Studio Raimo.
Before finishing let me mention the fourth fundamental principle of the Magna Charta
of the European Universities, elaborated here in Bologna on the occasion of the
Secularia Nona, in September of last year:
"Depository of the tradition of European Humanism, but with the perpetual
engagement to seek Universal Learning, the University in implementing its
functions, ignores every geographic or political border and proclaims the
immediate need for shared knowledge and for the interaction of cultures".
The aim of these days should be, in my opinion, to provide an excellent occasion for
general, not only specialized, discussions. We wish to call the attention of the scientific
world, cultural world, academic world, economic world, political authorities and public
opinion to the importance of our cultural heritage and to the urgent need to investigate
it, preserve it, restore it and enjoy it. Paraphrasing Ilya Prigogine, I am saying that science
today means pluralism, technology today allows a deeper level of exchanges. Let us use
these instruments to go towards that image of the world evoked by Karl Popper: an
image where, next to the physical sciences there is place for living phenomena, for the
freedom of mankind and for rationality.
XXVI