Those famous plastic statues from the 70s are literally "sweating" as they melt away at a molecular level.
arXiv · March 13, 2026 · 2603.11776
Why it matters
In a study of Joseph Beuys' artworks, researchers found that the chemical softeners in the PVC are physically migrating to the surface and leaking out as a viscous fluid. This molecular-level 'exudation' is a rare look at how thermodynamics is slowly liquefying modern cultural heritage.
From the abstract
This work addresses the advanced degradation of plasticised PVC boards, which constitute Joseph Beuys multiples Phosphorus-Cross Sled, focusing on the mechanisms responsible for the extensive exudation of a viscous liquid. A multi-analytical approach combining chromatographic, spectroscopic, microscopic, and mechanical techniques was employed to characterise both the exuded surface layer and the polymer bulk, and to evaluate the consequences of degradation for long-term mechanical behaviour. The