Our objects conservator has kicked off spring cleaning with the Dale Chihuly and the Alexander Calder! Both sculptures receive an annual cleaning to remove dust that has built up over the year. If dust is allowed to build up it can mute the colors of the Calder, making the black look gray, and it can affect the translucency of the Chihuly, making the glass look dull. The Chihuly chandelier is made entirely of glass pieces, so the first step is to create a protective sling underneath the sculpture. We then have two people on scissor lifts dusting on opposite sides of the sculpture from top to bottom. Two people help to balance the sculpture and keep it from swaying while it is being cleaned. The Calder is also cleaned with two people on lifts; one keeps the mobile balanced while the other removes dust. Make sure you come in to see the difference a dusting makes!

Alexander Calder (American, b.1898, d.1976); 20 Leaves and an Apple, 1946; sheet metal and piano wire; Gift of Thomas Emery’s Sons, Inc. 1965.516

Dale Chihuly (American, b.1941); Rio Delle Torreselle Chandelier, 1995; cobalt blue, translucent glass; Museum Purchase with funds provided by Mrs. Richard Thayer, Geraldine B. Warner, Robert and Fay Boeh, Nancy and David Wolf, Mary Lynn and Thomas M. Cooney Fund, Dick and Peggy Andre, Cincinnati Art Museum Women’s Committee, Dr. Stanley and Mickey Kaplan/Kaplan Foundation; 2001.37