Revised-SOO.docx

SOO list for artist Woody Ishmael’s artwork, “HERE I AM SEND ME”, # 1967.054

1. Background – “HERE I AM SEND ME” (a.k.a “The Prayer Piece), # 1967.054 was donated to the U.S. Air Force by the artist Woodi Ishmael in the late 1960s. It is a legacy piece that has been displayed almost continuously since it was acquired in the same location of the Pentagon and is seen by Department of the Air Force senior leadership on a daily basis. The decades of display of the painting have taken a toll, and no known restoration or conservation treatments have been given to the piece. Paint delamination and some canvas slack are visible along the middle and lower area of the painting, but the true extent of damage is unknown. There’s been no close inspection by a conservation expert and the current high hanging location of the artwork have precluded further assessment of the true the condition. There is also some yellowing due to unknown reasons. The painting has never been cleaned as far as records show. Federal OMB Circular A-136, defines artwork in the Department of the Air Force (DAF) Art collection as a “Heritage Asset” that is “generally expected to be preserved indefinitely” as part of proper stewardship. AFI 84-104, para 1.2.1.4, also calls for the preservation of artwork in the DAF collection.

a. The painting is in a mediocre condition (amateur assessment). It has been on display continuously for over five decades in the original frame. It is approximately 103 inches wide by 74 inches in height.

b. The design layer and the verso of the primary support show evidence of gravity effects as in canvas undulation, which might have contributed to paint delamination. The artwork has been hanging and exposed to interior artificial lighting and proximity to foot traffic and minor frame dusting for over 50 years.

c. The main immediately visible area of paint destabilization is along the bottom and center of the canvas with some possible portions of paint loss in micro to macro fragments. It is unknown if this paint disruption is associated with actual canvas damage, degradation or loss of bond, or loss associated with prior physical manipulation of the painting components. Again, true condition cannot be currently determined until a professional assessment and evaluation are performed.

d. The frame will be included as part of the treatment to bring it as close as possible to its original state. This will include cleaning, filling in any dents, and repainting/gilding as needed. It will also include the reapplication of any staples, nails, glue, etc as needed for the restabilization and reinforcement of the frame as required to support the painting for many more years to come. A French Cleat will need to be affixed to the back of the frame, in addition to doing the wire repair.

2. Purpose – The goal is to bring artwork to an “Exhibition ready” state, suitable for display, according to professional museum standards. The contractor shall pick-up, drop-off, coordinate, schedule, provide professional treatment consultation and assistance services required to evaluate, assess, and intervene as required (either by preservation, conservation and/or restoration) on Department of the Air Force artwork # 1967.054. Once the piece is exhibition ready, the vendor will provide a high-resolution photographic digital file or high-resolution digital scan that would allow for high fidelity reproduction of the original piece. Provide documentation of a valuation/appraisal of the restored art.

a. An artwork is considered “exhibition ready” and presentable when:

i. It has no damage, and/or does not bear obvious signs of damage

ii. Is free of debris and other pollutants that might obfuscate the true features, contours, and colors of the piece

iii. Has been brought respectfully as close as possible to its original and final state, as known to have been presented by the creating artist’s intent

iv. The artwork is not laden with any substances or materials that present an unsafe or unhealthy situation to handlers, or the viewing public

v. If original and the desire is to retain, the frame is repaired as much as possible to its original state

vi. Hanging systems are repaired or replaced to allow for the safe and stable exhibit of the artwork

3. Place of Performance – TBD. Location to be included in proposal.

4. Deliverables

a. Plan of action – included in proposal. Multiple levels of restoration can be proposed.

b. Tentative Schedule – included in proposal.

c. Exhibition ready piece.

d. Photographic digital file of restored piece.

e. Documentation of valuation/appraisal of restored piece.

5. Acceptance and Delivery

a. Art Program personnel will coordinate pickup and delivery with the assistance of the SAF/AMO facilities branch. Coordination is required a minimum of 72 hours in advance. The vendor can anticipate spending 2-4 hours per visit.

b. The art will be brought to the Pentagon loading dock for pickup and received at the loading dock for delivery. The vendor will be required to sign out the art from DAF Art Program personnel.

c. Vendor must show proof that they carry enough insurance to offset any damage or loss of painting up to the amount of $10,000.00.

d. The vendor will deliver the exhibition ready piece to the Pentagon for inspection. The inspection process can take up to three weeks. Once inspection is complete, the vendor will be contacted by the Department of the Air Force Art Program to return the piece to the Pentagon. Acceptance will be done by DAF Art Program Curator, Ms. Gloria Ornelas (or as delegated) at the Pentagon once the painting has passed inspection and been reinstalled.