The7 x 4 m large wallpainting "Canopus" at the Pedagogic College Essen by Victor Vasarély had to be salvaged before demolition of the building .
Complete removal of the wall (reinforced concrete) was not possible for technical and financial reasons.
After examination of the work and its buildup it was deemed feasible to remove the paintlayers only. The Painting was successfully removed by Kristina and Börries Brakebusch in 2014.
Before that the painting had been reworked by a street artist and further damaged with graffiti.
To regain the work by Vasarély extensive restoration will be necessary.
Only by our efforts and committment an agreement between the owner and the TH Cologne Institute for Conservation science and the Heritage Agency Brauweiler was achieved, that will allow for the necessary research as Partof an MA Thesis conducted by Mrs J. Hartmann.
Article download: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00393630.2016.1196567
Foyer der alten PH Essen