It was recently reported that forensic archaeologists have begun the painstaking task of sifting through the ashes of the fire-damaged Mackintosh Library at the Glasgow School of Art.
The forensic team are hoping to locate and identify items that could be restored, providing information for the building’s eventual restoration, similar to work carried out at Windsor Castle after the fire there in 1992,
The beautiful library, which is recognised as being one of the world’s finest examples of art nouveau, was sadly destroyed by fire in May earlier this year.
Although the library was destroyed in the fire, it is believed that there are significant remains which the forensic team hope will retain artefacts or fragments that will prove invaluable both in terms of our archival records and our restoration plans.
The work will be carried out by experts from Kirkdale Archaeology, which has carried out recent excavations at Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace and Linlithgow Palace.
Director at Glasgow School of Art Gordon Ewart commented: “Over the next few weeks we will work through the remains of the library, excavating layer by layer through the ash, checking carefully for any artefacts that have survived the fire or fragments than can be conserved.
“Throughout the process we will keep an archaeological record which we hope will help inform the GSA’s restoration programme and will remain as a detained document of where salvageable material was found.”
After the devastating blaze, several big name celebrities have given their backing to the restoration campaign including Hollywood star Brad Pitt who commented, “It’s one of the great artistic buildings where art is made and art is learned. Mackintosh was one of those rare individuals who created his own voice and his own vernacular in building and design.He’s always been one of my favourites.”
Chairwoman of Glasgow School of Art and writer and broadcaster, Muriel Gray said the work would take some time, saying, “It is going to take great care and great detail. We don’t want to get any of this wrong. I think in about four years, we will be back here, we will be celebrating and it will be a working library again full of spotty students. I can say that because I was a spotty student.”
Source: BBC
