WORK EXPERIENCE

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Since May 2019

Self-employed Conservator-Restorer / Art Services Illi Ltd, Zurich
 

2017 –2019
Conservator and Art-Handler / Möbeltransport AG, Zurich

Packing, transporting, and installation of various art forms, provided consulting to depot clients and conducted condition assessments

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2015 – 2017

Assistant Conservator for Paintings, Sculpture, and Modern Materials / Swiss Institute for Art Research (SIK-ISEA), Zurich

Planned and executed artwork examinations and conservation treatments for museums, galleries, and private collectors in the institute’s restoration studio.
 

2014 – 2015
Media Conservator / videocompany.ch, ZofingenDigitised and archived video collections (concept and realisation) and collaborated on exhibition installations.

 

2011 – 2012
Conservator / mumok (Museum of Modern Art Ludwig Foundation), Vienna
Implemented conservation and restoration treatments as part of a state-funded project assessing the collections's condition and inventory refurbishment

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EDUCATION

 

2012 – 2014

Master of Arts in Conservation-Restoration of Modern Materials and Media / Bern University of the Arts

MA-Thesis: "Image-Characterisation of video installations as a work-defining property: a first approach and the compilation of an illustrated glossary of artefacts and characteristics in video projections"

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2012

ERASMUS exchange semester at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna / Studio for Conservation-Restoration of Modern and Contemporary Art

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2008 – 2011

Bachelor of Arts in Conservation of Modern Materials and Media / Bern University of the Arts
BA Thesis: Ugo Rondinone's Kinetic Installation ‘Thank You Silence’ (2005): Possibilities for Contextualising, Documentation, and Conservation of a Kinetic Installation.

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​2006 – 2007

Vocational Baccalaureate / Gewerblich-Industrielle Berufsfachschule Olten (CH)

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2002 – 2006

Apprenticeship as a Carpenter Specialising in Furniture and Interior Design / Merz & Isler AG, Rombach (CH)

 

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PRACTICAL TRAINING

 

2008 – 2010

• Swiss National Museum / Collection Centre, Paintings and Sculpture Department, Affoltern am Albis (CH)

• Historical Museum Bern (Bernisches Historisches Museum), Project for the Conseration-Restoration of flood-damaged objects

• Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein (GER)

• Bern Design Foundation

2007 - 2008

• Architectural Internships / Schneider & Schneider Architekten AG, Aarau (CH)

• Architectural Internships / Office Urs Esposito, Dipl. Arch. ETH/SIA, Zurich​

 

FURTHER TRAINING / CONFERENCES (Selection)

 

2019

"Metallfärbung" (Metal Colouring), Sitterwerk St. Gallen

Theoretical basics and practical exercises on chemical and thermal methods of metal colouring.

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2018

"Alles schwingt – Mechanische Schwingungen wirken auf Kunstwerke" (Everything Vibrates - Mechanical Vibrations Affect Works of Art), Kunsthalle Mannheim (GER)

Conference on the latest research regarding art transport and its effects on artworks.

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2016

Cleaning Workshop with Richard C. Wolbers, Bern University of the ArtsOne-week course focused on cleaning methods in conservation, with special emphasis on water-sensitive acrylic paints.

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PUBLICATION

 

Illi, S., Kaltenbrunner, G., Pfenninger Lepage, M., & Steiner, K. (2013). The Conservation of a Mulitiple by Marcel Duchamp,

Part 1. - Consolidation of a Polyester Urethan Foam Cushioning with Limited Accessibility Using Ultrasonic Misting.

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In: Future Talks 013 : Lecture and Workshops on Technology and Conservation of Modern Materials in Design. München: Die Neue Sammlung, the International Design Museum Munich, 2013.

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LANGUAGES

 

German, English and French

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