Werner Schmid, a lecturer at the ARIS 07 course, explaining challenges in wall paintings conservation to participants during a site visit to Santa Maria Antiqua. Photo: Rand Eppich.

From September 12 to October 12, 2007, in Rome, ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) and the Getty Conservation Institute conducted their jointly organized course on architectural records, inventories, and information systems for conservation (ARIS 07).

Sixteen midcareer conservation professionals and educators, from sixteen different countries, participated. Countries represented included Azerbaijan, Barbados, Brazil, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Serbia, Tanzania, and the United States.

	Participants process, study, and discuss data collected at the church of Santa Cecilia. Photo: Rand Eppich.

The course goal was to improve conservation decisions through better information. Specific objectives included understanding emerging technologies, organizing data for easy access and use, and applying the most appropriate form of recording for conservation. Among the topics covered were digital imaging and lighting, thermal imaging, photogrammetry, data management, laser scanning, geographic information systems, inventory principles, and dissemination tools. Conservators, who were closely involved with the course, explored with participants how the resulting material can be incorporated into the conservation process.

The course was held at ICCROM, and fieldwork was conducted at the nearby church of Santa Cecilia. The course participants recorded and documented wall paintings, sculptural tombs, and vaults.