[News] CMN warns that cleaning of monuments damaged historical figures

[FNX Magokiler]

They were intervened using highly invasive and aggressive methods and procedures, such as high-pressure hydrowashing without a prior diagnosis of their state of conservation, which generated irreversible damage to the pieces and a great loss of the original material of the support.

The CMN warned this Wednesday that the cleaning of several monuments damaged historical figures, after the regional governor of Santiago, Claudio Orrego, complained about an instruction to suspend measures in that regard.

On his social networks, Orrego had described the order as “unusual,” and questioned that “now those responsible for the damage are those who clean up.”

Through a statement, the CMN indicated that the initiative to recover public spaces, commemorative monuments and heritage buildings promoted by the Regional Government (GORE) of Santiago is highly valued by the Council of National Monuments (CMN), which during these months has sought to collaborate in everything necessary and provide the technical assistance required for the development of these works, of high patrimonial and social benefit.

However, after a visit carried out within the framework of another activity, at the end of September, the conservative restoration specialist of the CMN Technical Secretariat was able to verify that four Public Monuments (MP) located between Vergara and Almirante Latorre streets, which correspond to Simón Bolívar, The Swiss Community in Chile, Carlos Walker Martínez and George Canning, “were operated on using highly invasive and aggressive methods and procedures, such as high-pressure hydrowashing without a prior diagnosis of their state of conservation, which generated damage irreversible damage to the pieces and a great loss of the original material of the support.”

 

 

“Given this situation, and given that the guidelines and technical guidelines for the execution of the cleaning tasks of the MPs had previously been delivered, on September 26, via email, the ST CMN requested to suspend the system they were using for the removal of the layers of paint from the MPs of the Alameda Providencia axis, but not the maintenance works, which can be carried out with other techniques. For this, the support of ST CMN specialists was offered,” the statement said.

He added that both the Alameda Providencia Axis project coordinator and the technical assistant manager received this information – including photos of the damage caused – and, during a meeting that took place on Friday, September 29, the CMN team explained the reasons for the damage of the method used and explained other ways to carry out cleaning properly. In that same instance, it was agreed to carry out a field test of different cleaning techniques, together with CMN professionals, which was scheduled for this Friday, October 13.

On Tuesday, October 10, in a session of the Historical Heritage Commission of the CMN, it was agreed to “request the Regional Government of Santiago to adjust its intervention procedures to the guidelines annexed by the CMN through Ord. CMN N°3801, which must be sent to this Council for evaluation. The ST CMN will prepare a report on the state of conservation of the identified MPs, which will be sent to the GORE for information. Site visit in conjunction with the GORE to carry out on-site tests regarding the proposed procedures and possible intervention actions.”

It should be noted that the CMN document sent to the GORE in August 2023 established general guidelines for the execution of the intervention works, which are related to the cleaning procedures proposed to be carried out in the MPs.

Finally, the Technical Secretariat of the CMN reiterated its total willingness to continue working together, in pursuit of a result that guarantees the conservation of the monuments over time.

 

https://www.elmostrador.cl/cultura/2023/10/12/cmn-alerta-que-limpieza-de-monumentos-deterioro-figuras-historicas/