Strona główna / Konserwacja

R A C E   W I T H   T I M E  … 



fot. Monika Supruniuk

Conservation of film materials is a complex process that requires co-operation on the part of a range of experts. The chemical instability of NITRATE films makes it necessary that a long-term strategy should be adopted, embracing the activities aimed not only at making back-up copies on a new film base, but also at the attempt at extending the lifespan of the oldest generations of materials. Today we already know that the sheer reduction in air temperature and humidity is able to preserve NITRATE films for decades to come.

In the past, it used to be assumed that the best solution of the problem related to safe storage of NITRATE films is to print – copy them onto a new, safe base, and then to destroy the originals!
These activities became common practice especially in the 1950s and the 1960s. Our experience to date prove that the key to gaining the highest possible quality of image and sound resides in working with the oldest film stocks. Therefore, each NITRATE film is unique and priceless!

Conservation is often associated with duplication. However, it should be stressed that this notion embraces both indirect actions, e.g. creating optimal conditions for storage, transport or screening, as well as direct actions consisting in repairing damaged film stock, among others. Writing about the conservation of film materials, we should bear in mind the doubts related to the precise indication of the scope of actions and activities. It happens so because some decisions made during direct works on the film enter the scope of notions related to the restoration and reconstruction of the film.

 


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