Discussion:
The City of Windsor owns a significant Public Art collection. The Cultural Affairs team has developed a seasonal maintenance plan to maintain the pieces located within the Windsor Sculpture Park and throughout other City parks and facilities.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE PROGRAM
A maintenance plan was developed as a result of the Request for Proposals issued in 2012 to evaluate all of the sculpture pieces both for insurance appraisal reasons and to ensure all pieces are maintained correctly for the length of their life span. This process developed a framework and procedures which determined longevity and maintenance of the pieces until they are removed from the collection at the end of their lifespan.
Long term survival of outdoor sculptures is affected by the use of the site, human interventions, the buildings and structures around the pieces, trees, roads, playgrounds, water and other features. Windsor sculptures are primarily located within park settings, however many are located along the edge of the parks and therefore are affected by nearby road conditions. Several pieces are located near parking lots and a limited number are located within our facilities. All pieces require regular inspections, cleaning and maintenance.
Regular maintenance is necessary because pollution, moisture (rain, snow, mist, humidity) ultraviolet rays, and a variety of other factors are constantly impacting the sculptures. Every sculpture has its own particular problems and needs, but the general ongoing problems in many of our bronze sculptures are as follows:
Breakdown of an applied coating from natural weathering which opens an opportunity for corrosion
Dirt build up, including leaves and other debris which act as a retainer of moisture which promotes corrosion
Handling by the public (climbing or touching) wears away the protective coating, patina and over time the metal itself
Flaws in the casting where the metal is porous, often causes corrosive activity
Joints in the sculpture can be sites of corrosive activity due to the breakdown of the coating in these areas
And lastly, the removal of graffiti causes a wearing and breakdown of the protective coating.
Although it is recommended that each sculpture should be evaluated seasonally (four times per year), and condition reports including digital images of all four sides of the work be completed at the time of the inspection, limited resources has resulted in this happening once a year through the summer season. All information is updated within the Mimsy database maintained at Museum Windsor.