For more than ten years, the mucilage of the Opuntia ficus-indica has been the subject of research, publications and scientific experiments in the field of the conservation of cultural heritage. Today, that knowledge takes a decisive step: enter into operational practice.
The Restoration Conservation Centre ‘La Venaria Reale’ promotes a seminar dedicated to bridging the gap between scientific production and daily application in restoration. If the issue of sustainability is now central to the international debate (between circular economy, reduction of environmental impact and adaptation to climate change), the real challenge is to turn theory into concrete tools.
Nopal mucilage, also studied under the Italy-Mexico Bilateral Programme, is one of these tools. Research has highlighted its properties as an additive for bio-malts and lime-based paints and as a consolidating agent for wall paintings and paper artefacts.
The seminar proposes a path that combines history, culture and physico-chemical components of the material and a practical in-person module, during which participants will directly experience the extraction and application of mucilage.
The activities will be conducted by the same researchers and professionals who have signed the scientific publications on the subject, encouraging a direct comparison between those who produced the research and those who will translate it into operational interventions.
The course is an example of the lines of sustainable conservation development promoted by the Centre.
2 and 4 March | online theory
6 March | face-to-face practice
Registration by February 23rd
CCR and accessibility
