Progress Report
Homage to Seurat: La Grande Jatte in Harlem Restoration
 |
from left: Rochelle Shicoff, Alexandra Unthank, Lucas Hoffel, Jessica Guzman, Harriet Irgang Alden, Ariel Mercado, and Susan Harts. |
September 29-October 6
It was all hands on deck for the final days of work on the mural restoration. The artists completed the final painting, repaired a small section of crumbling concrete, and the team applied the final coats of Golden Soft Gel Gloss and Golden MSA Varnish with an ultraviolet inhibitor. October 6 the scaffolding came down to reveal the gloriously brilliant colors of the restored mural. As a parting gift for the Hope Steven Garden, each artist painted a garden chair.
 |
Paint sample removed from the dark green foreground under microscope analysis showing that the top layer of green seems to have turned blue in color. |
The restoration of Homage to Seurat provided a unique case study for conservators who focus on materials research. Project conservator, Harriet Irgang Alden provided small paint and mortar samples from the mural to Amanda Norbutus, a student in the University of Delaware’s Preservation Studies Doctoral Program. Norbutus, who is participating in ongoing research about the degradation of paints used in outdoor murals, has begun cross-sectional analysis, infrared spectroscopy and other tests to understand the components in the paint samples. This information will be added to the data that University of Delaware conservators are collecting in their experiments.
 |
Thomas Learner taking paint samples. |
Dr. Thomas Learner, Senior Scientist and Head of Modern and Contemporary Art Research at the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles visited the mural before it was sealed to obtain samples for his research on modern paint materials, including the aging characteristics of acrylics. In the case of Homage to Seurat, understanding which paints have faded the least may be instructive in creating future paints or protective coatings that are better able to withstand outdoor environments.
 |
Maria Dominguez at work |
September 15-28
To make up for rain days experienced earlier in the project, at least two artists were working on the mural restoration seven days a week. Artist Maria Dominguez continued to tackle repainting all figures on the mural, which on the right wall includes a couple walking in the park walking a little dog and two women sitting on the lawn and on the left wall includes a mother walking with and child and a uniformed man sounding a bugle. Repainting these areas is especially challenging because Cockcroft integrated the texture of the wall into them. Seeing the figures come to colorful life again is especially satisfying.
Surrounding the figures in the mural is a lush park setting, which means many trees and leaves to repaint. Much of the repainting in this area has been accomplished by three talented young women associated with Harlem arts organizations, are apprentices on the project and working lead artist Janet Braun-Reinitz. The mural has long been part of the apprentices’ daily lives as they reside, study, and work in the neighborhood.
Jessica Guzman |
Jessica Guzman, age 21, associated with CAW4KIDS (Creative Arts Workshop), says, "I used to live in the neighborhood and remember passing by the mural. I was very aware of the texture of the wall and the colors. I never thought I’d be on a team to restore it...What I’m doing is different from making a mural. I really enjoy learning to mix colors to match the original ones."
Ariel Mercado |
Ariel Mercado, age 18, is active in the Harlem’s Childrens Art Carnival and says "Restoring the mural appealed to me because it is so beautiful even though it is so faded. Also, I’m a young artist and don’t know a lot. Whatever I can take from the project is good—developing my skills and learning about materials."
Alexandra Unthank |
Alexandra Unthank, age 21, a member of the Harlem Artists Alliance, remarked, "I had seen the mural pretty much my entire life, but being so familiar with it I hadn’t noticed how much it had changed. When l saw the photos, it was shocking. The idea of working on a blank canvas is very daunting, I like to have something to work with. I would always stare at the mural, curious about the way it was painted, how the artist figured out the perfect way of working with the texture of the wall, how to create certain effects."
 |
September 1- 14:
It took almost twelve hours to erect, but the scaffolding went up on September 1 and work began large scale. Because of new regulations, the scaffolding is enclosed in mesh that makes it challenging to see the work in progress, but much was accomplished in the first two weeks of work.
Volunteers have been integral to the project’s productivity. One such volunteer, Shannon Moran, devoted five days between her summer job at CAW4KIDS (Creative Arts Workshop) and returning to the Savannah College of Art for her junior year. At CAW4KIDS, Shannon worked as an intern/assistant to a teaching artist, supervising summer youth employees in the creation of a series of large murals for Harlem River Park (East 125th to 142nd Streets). Lead artist, Janet Braun-Reinitz says "it is always a pleasure to welcome volunteer painters to our mural site, but it is rare to have the assistance of someone as bright, accomplished and collaborative as Shannon. She helped solve drawing problems and consulted on mixing paints with abilities well beyond her years. The entire crew treasured the five days of effort she dedicated to the restoration." In a recent e-mail, Shannon wrote: "Thank you for the opportunity. I can't wait to see the mural completed and fully restored!" Another great help to the wall has been Laurie Sheridan, a Brooklyn-based artist, documentarian, and set painter for television, film and theater. Jane Weissman, Peter Quinones, Abby Karish, and Rachel and Laura Reinitz have also been helping hands in recent weeks.
 |
 |
 |
 |
from top right clockwise: | |
August 17-31:
The mural and conservation communities are eager to learn more about how paints perform in outdoor environments and this project will help with this research. Before the restoration project began, consulting conservator, Harriet Irgang Alden of Rustin Levenson Art Conservation Associates, took samples of the original paint and cement wall for further study. She also designated several 2” x 2” test areas on the mural to serve as a control group. One area will be left untouched and the others will receive each consecutive level of restoration. Project photographer Camille Perrottet also took the before restoration photos of the mural to help document each step in the process.
While the official work day of the project on August 22 was rainy, it gave artists Janet Braun-Reinitz and Rochelle Shicoff a chance to mix paint colors in the studio. The weather cleared and for the next two weekends, the artists were able to begin repainting by sealing small areas and matching colors based on the original photographs of the mural.