Ilya Kabakov’s “School No. 6” is meant to look like a weathered and abandoned school from the Soviet era. Due to Marfa’s desert climate, the installation requires frequent conservation. Tasked with treating the outdoor signage, Elizabeth Torres and Ariel Anais performed treatment tests and color studies. They also considered the artist’s intent. In an interview, Kabakov outlined the inevitable effects of time on his art: “In the event of aging and decay, a procedure of replacement, reconstruction or repainting is acceptable, although the original substance ought to be conserved and restored if possible.” The newly conserved signs will, at first, look jarringly fresh. But soon, the harsh environment of the West Texas prairie, which reminded Kabakov of the Ukrainian steppes of his childhood, will cause them to fade once again. — #ChinatiFoundation #Marfa #IlyaKabakov #artconservation Ilya Kabakov, “School No. 6,” 1993. The Chinati Foundation. © 2022 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn