MCC Mosaic Conservation Course 2018

MCC 2018-2 Algeria: December 1st to December 20th

MCC 2018-2 was structured in one module of three weeks, and ran between December 1st to December 20th. The course was entirely dedicated to Algeria. 8 conservators of the Atelier de Conservation et de Restauration des Mosaïques Antiques of Tipasa, took part to the course designed to deepen topics related to ancient mosaic technology and materials, practice lime based materials and mosaic application on new Aerolam support.

MCC 2018 2 was based on a combination of theoretical lessons, practical exercises on communication techniques and practical work in the laboratory. The curriculum was integrated by group discussions, as well as study trip in Rome.

Laboratory work focused on practicing mosaic manufacturing techniques and application on aluminum honeycomb support with traditional materials. The participants experienced the phases of creating a mosaic with the direct system, giving them the opportunity to deepen their knowledge on the original technical process and to better understanding the nature of the finished work and the complexity of the processes involved.

Developing participants’ communication skills was another central theme of the MCC 2018 course.

They were trained in giving public presentations and producing short videos for conference purposes and for generally communicating with wider audiences.

At the end of the course participants held a seminar on the importance of the mosaic heritage in Algeria, the preservation challenges, the role played by the new “Atelier de Conservation et de Restauration des Mosaïques Antiques à Tipasa”, explaining the techniques and methodologies they learned during  MCC. The seminar was attended by the Director of Heritage at the Ministry of Culture of Algeria, dr. Mourad Bouteflika, and the Director General of the OGEBC, Office National de gestion et exploitation des biens culturels protégés, Algeria, Dr. Zekagh Abdelouahab who visited the course location in Belmonte in Sabina.