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The Chemical Educator
ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)
Abstract Volume 27
(2022) pp 51-57
Chemical Investigations and Paint Restoration of Pasaquan: An Interdisciplinary Research Project
Shyrisse Ramos and Kerri Shelton Taylor*
Columbus State University, Department of Chemistry, 4225 University Ave, Columbus, GA 31907 taylor_kerri1@columbusstate.edu
Received May 11, 2021. Accepted October 4, 2021.
Published: 13 November 2022
Abstract. It has been four years since the
complete, multi-million-dollar restoration of Pasaquan, a 7- acre exterior
art-site located in Buena Vista, GA. Since then, there have been a number of
dramatic changes in the painted walls on the outdoor structures, walls, and
sculptural forms. The paint appears to be fading over time. A conservation
group prepared and painted the walls for a complete restoration of Pasaquan,
followed by a subsequent report describing their assessment with the issues
surrounding the changes of the fading paint. However, the report was
inconclusive, and the recommended solutions and assessments did not garner
positive results. It is suspected that the art-site’s exposure to the outdoor
environment, which includes sunlight, rain, and heat, is the cause of the
paint’s instability and lack of longevity. The amount of pigment, binder, and
dispersion water were examined, in order to determine a mixture that could
optimally withstand these environmental conditions. Chemical analyses, such as
elemental analysis (EA), mass spectrometry (MS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and energy-dispersive
X-ray spectrometry-scanning electron microscopy (EDS-SEM), were conducted to
examine the chemical structure of the current paints at Pasaquan, as well as
the degree and form of degradation of the aged paints. In this 2020-2021 study,
qualitative and quantitative tests were designed to determine the chemical
basis for the color changes within the pigments, as well as assist in providing
short- and long-term solutions for the exterior exhibition.
Key Words: KW Laboratories and Demonstrations; art; analytical chemistry
(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: taylor_kerri1@columbusstate.edu)
Article in PDF format(662 KB) HTML
The supporting information includes a portion of the chemical report that was written by the team of Taylor and Ramos. The document is separated into two chapters, containing reflective questions on the team’s experiences and the analytical processes, which includes type of testing and rationale of evidence. 12414 KB
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