Preserving Glow-in-the-Dark Art and Fashion

Conservationists at the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields are working to preserve the phosphorescent and fluorescent pigments used by designer Stephen Sprouse in his 1980s collections. Sprouse's work, which featured bright Day-Glo colors, is being studied to learn more about the materials and prevent them from dulling over time. Researchers are building on centuries of knowledge about phosphors, which were first described in the Middle Ages. These materials absorb light and release it gradually, producing a glowing effect. The study of phosphorescent materials has a long history, dating back to Henri Becquerel's discovery of radioactive decay in 1896. Day-Glo paints exploit a related phenomenon called fluorescence, where UV light is converted into visible light to produce brighter colors. By understanding the properties of these materials, conservationists hope to preserve Sprouse's vibrant creations for future generations.