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History of Art

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Stefani Kavda

stefani.kavda.12@ucl.ac.uk

Stefani Kavda holds an MSc in Conservation Studies from UCL Q and a BA in Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art from the Technological Educational Institution (T.E.I.) of Athens. She has completed internships at Fondazione Plart in Naples, Die Neue Sammlung - The International Design Museum in Munich, the National Archaeological Museum of Athens, and INSTAP - EC (Institute for the Aegean Prehistory) in Crete.

Thesis

Cleaning of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) objects in design collections: A study of gel-based cleaning systems

Her research focuses on the cleaning of poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) used in the production of museum objects in the field of design. The aim is to conduct systematic research on examining the way specific gel cleaning systems affect PMMA, with an emphasis on the surface condition. In order to undertake comparative studies, the efficiency of gel-based cleaning techniques will be compared with cotton swab rubbing, the conventional practice widely used among conservators. The topic will be explored through experiments on cleaning unaged and artificially light-aged PMMA samples. The outcome will serve to standardise - to date poorly developed - methods for cleaning highly sensitive PMMA museum objects.

Supervisors

Dr. Stavroula Golfomitsou and Dr. Emma Richardson