JAIC 1995, Volume 34, Number 1, Article 6 (pp. 77 to 83)
RESCUING WATER-DAMAGED TEXTILES DURING THE LOS ANGELES RIOTS
DUBRAVKA TURKOVIC-KISELJEV
ABSTRACT—During the April 1992 urban riots in Los Angeles, costumes and textiles from the study collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art that had been stored in an off-site facility were damaged by exposure to water. After describing the circumstances under which the damage occurred as well as the conservation problems encountered, the author outlines treatments carried out on both costumes and tapestries. Finally, the author cites the various factors that made the museum's disaster response so effective.