Joseph’s Coat Skyspace by James Turrell

American artist James Turrell is known for engineering spaces that link interior with exterior, provoking contemplation and collective meditation. His Joseph’s Coat Skyspace at the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a room articulated by a 24-square-foot opening in the ceiling surrounded by color-changing LED lights. The space also includes columns around its perimeter. 

Because the interior is constantly exposed to the environment, soiling had become an increasing issue in the space, and the stainless steel cladding on the peripheral columns began showing signs of corrosion.

Our conservators treated and cleaned the stainless steel elements. The team used a water-based product containing phosphoric acid and solvents to remove both discoloration and soiling build-up, taking care to protect surrounding areas from the cleaning solution.