April 22, 2014, Filed Under: Conservation, Exhibitions + EventsBehind-the-scenes: Customizing a mannequin, from legs to limbs, to display a World War I uniform Presenting a costume or historical clothing on a mannequin may seem deceptively simple at first glance. Yet there is rarely an instance of a mannequin, standardized or made-to-measure, that is ready to use “out-of-the-box.” Each area of the body—shoulders, torso, arms, legs, and feet—must be customized and often requires several… read more
March 6, 2014, Filed Under: Conservation, Exhibitions + EventsBefore and After: World War I–era panoramic photo undergoes conservation before exhibition The Ransom Center’s exhibition The World at War, 1914–1918 features a panoramic group portrait of the 103rd Aero Squadron (Lafayette Escadrille), the first U.S. aviation pursuit squadron in combat in France during World War I. The photograph was sent to the Ransom Center’s conservation lab because it was tightly rolled,… read more
October 30, 2013, Filed Under: Conservation, FilmBloody costumes in De Niro collection present unusual challenge for conservation team Blood runs through the archive of renowned actor Robert De Niro. From bloodstained props to grisly costumes, artifacts of some of Hollywood’s most iconic thrillers are preserved at the Harry Ransom Center. Although the fake blood that marks these materials might share a similar chemical makeup, each bloody stain has… read more
