This document discusses best practices for storing and transporting art objects. It describes condition reports, guidelines for various storage methods like shelving, racks and cabinets, and considerations for transportation both within and outside of museums. Optimal storage provides physical security and environmental protection while allowing access. Transportation requires cushioning objects from vibration, shock and damage. The goal is to preserve the condition of art objects over their lifetime using appropriate handling and storage.

1. Storage and Transportation of Art ObjectsENGI/HUMA 240Matthew Wettergreen, PhD

2. Lifetime of the Art ObjectConditionReportTransportation (inside museum)Transportation (outside museum)AccessionStorage

3. Accession / Condition Report

4. Condition ReportFalls under the RegistrarReport of the condition of the art objectIncludes drawing of the object with noted abnormalitiesWritten description of damage or agingOften includes imaging data

5. Transportation (inside museum)

6. Transportation (inside museum)Uses art handling best practices“Low” riskApplies individual museum’s standard guidelines

7. Storage

8. Storage“The basic principle of art storage is to keep the object in a physically secure environment but yet permit ready access for inspection”Why is this needed?Museum collections grow ~1.5% per yearLess than 10% of most collections are shown

9. What does Storage do for your Museum?Organizes space efficientlyFacilitates access to collectionsProvides physical support Provides environmental protectionEncourages logical organizationReinforces good handling practices

10. Issues with Non-Dedicated StorageCrowded hallwaysCarelessnessEnvironmental issuesAccidentsHeavy trafficEmpty packing crates

11. Storage PlanningBegins with organizational requirementsDependent upon size, value, composition, physical needs of art objectsFactors in size and nature of storage spaceRequires decision of nature and frequency of collection usageDependent upon institution’s budget1985, per year cost per object was $65Optimally separate from normal traffic

12. Guidelines for Storage SelectionAvoid false economiesStable, non-reactive materialsFocus on modularityObject requirements dictate storage choiceElevate objectsSegregation of storage from normal usageWeight, size, sensitivity

13. Types of StorageOpen StorageClosed StorageShelvingVertical racksDolliesPalletsLockersCabinets

14. Open StorageDesigned for objects too heavy for cabinetsDesigned for objects too large for cabinetsObjects are highly visible and accessibleOffers zero environmental controlMaterialsWood: palletsSteel: shelvingAluminum: Racks

15. ShelvingDesigned for objects to large or heavy for cabinetsCoveringsCovered with plasticPlaced behind waterproof/dustproof curtainsDesignUprights and horizontalsBaked on enamelConstructed of nuts and boltsCan be cantileveredAdvantagesFlexible constructionVaried widths

16. Vertical RacksTraditionally for paintingsPull out racksSpace efficientDesignrigid metal frame supporting a grillobjects are suspended on the grillAdvantageshigh visibilitymobile racks are space efficientDisadvantagesweight support for heavy objectsimproper securing can result in warped objects

17. Pallets /DolliesPerfect for large objectsBoats, skullsMinerals, fossilsDesignWood or metalMay include castersAdvantagescushioning from shock, vibration, abrasionmay be covered with a tarpDisadvantagesSpace inefficient

18. Closed StorageDesigned for smaller objectsOffers environmental protectionOffers additional accident protectionGreater degree of control

19. CabinetsProvide the greatest protection from all manners of risksSolidly constructed, gasketed, metal caselockable = high securitysolid doors = light exclusionSolid construction = minimize water leaks and floodingWell sealed = buffers contentshumiditytemperaturepestsparticulatesgaseous pollutantsDesignsteel with 11-16 gauge frame with 18-20 gauge skinpowder coated steelwhite coating is best for temperature and display of dustavailable in multiple sizes, depths and drawer heights

20. Cabinets (continued)Versatile options:rollout shelves, drawers, flat trays, screens, slide-out surfaces, desiccant drawers, metal rods for tubes, bars for hangingmay be configured for entomology or botanyGasket Designpoly(dymethylsiloxane), PDMSpoly(diphenylsiloxane), PDPSethylene vinyl acetate (closed cell), EVAethylene propylene diene monomer, EPDM

21. Mobile StorageCombination of open/closedAugments existing storage solutionHighest space efficiencyRequires weight calculations for floor limits

22. CompactorsBanks mounted on platforms moving along tracksthink of as “moving shelves”Requires weight calculations of floor capacityPropelling systemmanualassisted manualelectricalCabinets and shelving systems can be mounted onto mobile compactorsLockable = added security

23. Transportation (outside museum)

24. Issues with TransportationVibrationShockImpactHuman errorDifferent facilitiesAccidents

25. Transportation (outside museum)High riskInvolves the use of cratesUses a principle of “most cushioning”Assumes the object will experience vibration, shock, damagePacked for unknown conditions and unknown handlers

26. CratesWood frameIndividually constructedBuilt from stock wood and fastenersInner support structureSometimes woodFoamWrapper surrounding object

27. Crate Design

28. Anatomy of a Crate

29. Anatomy of a Crate (2)

30. Crate Design (3)

31. Your Semester project:create your own storage system

32. Picture ReferencesSlide 2http://texasarchitect.blogspot.com/2009/07/tsa-2009-cornerstone-award-john-and.htmlhttp://www.fineartship.com/2009/04/the-condition-report-quick-start-rules/http://www.logar.co.at/e/nonpublicspaces.htmhttp://www.fineartship.com/images/crating_C.jpgSlide 5http://www.fineartship.com/2009/04/the-condition-report-quick-start-rules/Slide 7http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2174/2098729951_2dcaf7260b.jpghttp://photos.jpgmag.com/1379494_204492_3fefc2693e_p.jpghttp://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hsTuDxtqI7c/Sa8ca293zII/AAAAAAAAJN4/bO-xc1X-CwQ/s400/8.jpgSlide 14http://www.meyermat.com/Images/n-dolly(umnrg2).jpghttp://www.montel.com/images/img_products/art-rack_movable-panels/141_1.jpghttp://www.ifurn.com/pics/8/studio-designs/flat-file-storage-cabinet.RTA607A.1.800.jpgSlide 16http://filesdown.esecure.co.uk/museumID/GlasgowOpenStorage.jpg_17072009-1327-26.jpgSlide 17http://museum.spacesaver.com/DefaultFilePile/Public/Museum/MuseumContent/art_01.jpghttp://www.hdfiles.com/images/Art%20Rack/Art%20Rack%20Sliding%20Shelving%20System.JPGhttp://www.hdfiles.com/images/Art%20Rack/Art%20Rack%20Shelving%20Storage%20Systems.jpg

33. Picture ReferencesSlide 20http://montel.comSlide 23http://www.hdfiles.com/images/Art%20Rack/Art%20Rack%20Storage%20That%20Condenses%20Art%20Storage.JPGSlide 25http://artransintl.com/images/crate_symbols.pngSlide 27, 28http://www.flickr.com/photos/39016610@N06/Slide 29http://www.fineartship.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/img_69083.jpgSlide 30http://www.flickr.com/photos/39016610@N06/Slide 31http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2146/2386729423_00a06df1b8.jpghttp://rebul.com.au/media/images/sculpture-from-below.jpg