Blog 7

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8534969.stm
http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/80beats/2010/02/26/tattoo-removing-lasers-also-remove-grime-from-classic-works-of-art/

Ever thought about the tool that removes your unwanted tattoos? Well, did you know that it also removes dirt and grime from old famous paintings from centuries ago? Amazingly enough, that this laser ablation will be able to clean the masterpieces of art history. Not only canvases, but they can clean stone and metal artifacts. They have already cleaned Lorenzo Ghiberti’s gilded bronze panels Porta del Paradiso, or Gate of Paradise, and Donatello’s Renaissance bronze statue of David. Laser ablation is going to be a widespread for our precious ancient art. Even cleaning with a laser ablation is extremely more safer than a scapel cutting the layer grime or using chemicals. The reason why they would use a laser ablation than those traditional ones because chemicals makes reactions on the paintings. Within a year or so it could drastically altar the paintings. The laser ablation doesn't harm the painting as much as the traditional cleaning methods. Unless the user of the laser ablation is unexperienced then it can be quite harmful for the masterpiece. Dr. Siano mentions that this useful technique is not considered a micro-sandblasting which he is the professor of the Restoration School of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence. Such miraculous idea, there is always a downfall. When used for stone or metal, it became a little discolored. They solved it by letting the artifact underwater and applying the laser. Interestingly, it increased the rate of the laser. Especially archaeological silver and developed a mineral shell. Some would call it a micro-fragmentation or the micro-explosion. Hopefully in the future, they wish the laser ablation would be an accepted technique across the world.
In my personal opinion, I think it's a great idea to save our lovable artwork. I have a certain aspect with artwork. The art that is considered such a masterpiece should not be altered since dirt and grime is a natural occurance on artifacts. I would leave it alone. I love art as much as the next guy, but there is no reason for this obsession-compulsive disorder for art and it's history. When the art is not visible anymore then cleaning should be a must but we should not clean everything that we see fit. I hope they wont go into a spring cleaning with this outbreak of saving one of Donatello's artwork.