Dubuffet Sculpture Treatment & Relocation

EverGreene was commissioned by The Rockefeller Brothers Fund for The Pocantico Center in Tarrytown, NY to conserve and relocate a one-of-a-kind sculpture by Jean Dubuffet entitled “L’Érection Logologique Bleue.” French sculpture and painter, Jean Dubuffet, founded the Art Brut (or Outsider Art) movement in the late 1940’s and was a relentless innovator and pioneer in multiple mediums until his death in 1985.

Previously home to the Rockefeller family, the Pocantico Center now serves as a community center for educational programs, performances, artist residencies, and nonprofit conferences. Pocantico also contains a large collection of fine and decorative art including antique furnishings, ceramics, and a beautiful sculpture garden where L’Érection Logologique Bleue is now displayed.

EverGreene’s scope for this project included an extensive cleaning, relocation,  and conservation treatments on the sculpture. Our conservators performed a blast cleaning and applied protective paint coats to the sculpture’s steel beams. The sculpture was then transported to a storage facility for a short period of time before being reinstalled at the Pocantico Center. Following the reinstallation,we performed conservation treatments from a custom built multi-level scaffold that surrounded the sculpture to provide hand access to all areas. The sculpture was given an overall cleaning followed by deteriorating mortar joints being removed and repointed. Cracks and losses to the terracotta were stabilized and filled. Joints and fills were toned in to match adjacent surfaces and provide a seamless finish. Lastly, a lead cap was installed over the top of the sculpture and painted to help prevent further moisture intrusion into the sculpture.