2025 Poster Session

As 3D printed artworks gain value in collections, the use of 3D techniques for contemporary art conservation remains limited. The variety of materials and techniques allows conservators to tailor their approach, yet outsourcing processes like photogrammetry and 3D printing often limits a conservator’s direct involvement. This raises questions: Is it practical enough to incorporate these techniques into institutional or private practices? How can 3D technologies address contemporary conservation challenges like plastic degradation? This research uses a contemporary art case study with broken plastic flowers to examine a hands-on approach with 3D techniques, highlighting the opportunities and challenges, and providing insights for beginners. The author, with little experience in 3D technologies, used photogrammetry and 3D modelling software to digitally reconstruct the flower. Then, 3D printed samples of 8 materials, including extruded plastics, powder bed plastics, and cured resins, were examined to determine the most suitable option for the treatment. Standard resin had the best result, with high-detail resin and vapour-polished nylon following. The extruded plastics were determined to be too smooth and lose too much detail after post-processing. It was concluded that photogrammetry and 3D modelling should be done in-house while 3D printing can be outsourced. References and a comprehensive visual workflow accompany the research, illustrating the entire process from photogrammetry scans to the final 3D-printed product.