Peachy Landmarks-The New York Landmarks Conservancy Tells Us: It's New York's Picasso - We're Taking Care of it for You.
Our conservator cleaning the Picasso Curtain
The New York Landmarks Conservancy Tells Us:
Our thanks to all of you who have written to ask that the Picasso Curtain remain at the Four Seasons Restaurant. One writer was told that the Conservancy has neglected the Curtain and that it has to be removed to be conserved. That is not correct. This is the third reason given for removing the Curtain.
Here are the facts.
We have had a respected textile conservator, Sarah Lowengard, regularly care for the curtain since shortly after we received it in 2005. The deed of gift asked that we keep it in place. We intend to do that.
When Ms. Lowengard first examined the curtain, she researched its history and prior conservation, and discussed the Curtain with other conservators who had worked on it. At that time, a Kunstalle in Frankfurt Germany was interested in exhibiting the Curtain. She advised against moving the Curtain then to avoid damage. She says it should not be moved now for the same reason.
The Curtain has age-related issues. In the 1970s the back of the Curtain was lined. Ms. Lowengard's initial report notes that the canvas is brittle: "..an unavoidable characteristic of the material as it dries out, oxidizes or becomes more acidic. It is unlikely that (past) surface treatments reversed or even stopped that damage. So folding or rolling the textile would place the original materials at risk of cracking or splitting."
During a two-day cleaning of the Curtain in 2008, Ms. Lowenstein inspected the artwork inch by inch. She noted some tears and patches that she believed occurred before the 1970s conservation. She said the these were "well managed by the lining--these are not active tears."
She reported again this week that: " The best way to preserve the curtain is to maintain it in place. Removal from the space will almost certainly cause breaks and cracks to the canvas and probably losses in the paint layer as well."
Yesterday, conservators from Julius Lowy Frame and Restoring Company also examined the Curtain. In a letter to the Conservancy, Larry Shar, President of Lowy, noted the brittleness. "it is, therefore, our opinion that the painting is best left on the wall undisturbed." If it had to be moved, Mr. Shar said a multi-step process that would take 7-8 working days is required to minimize any damage. The Curtain is scheduled to be moved this coming Sunday. With the restaurant scheduled to resume operations on Monday morning--a matter of hours, not days.
The company hired to move the Curtain this weekend told us it could "crack like a potato chip."
We have two separate engineering reports that conclude there is no structural reason to move the Curtain. There is every reason to keep it as the iconic heart of one of the loveliest interior landmark spaces in the Country.
The Picasso is visible from the lobby of the Seagram Building. It has been used in promotions for the building and the restaurant. It was always intended as public art that New Yorkers should enjoy. It's your Picasso. That's why we're working to save it.
More Information
The New York Times - February 4, 2014
By David Segal
