BASIC ART HANDLING

FUNDACION SANSÓ
19 August 2019, 1:30 – 4:30 pm
 GENERAL PRACTICES
• Know the artwork/artworks coming in

- The first step of handling the artwork is to know what you will handle.
- You can gauge the appropriate preparations needed for handling the work.

1. Coordinate with the staff regarding the details of the work. Contact the artist/gallery if you
do not have the information.
2. Check the correct orientation of the work through its photo.
 GENERAL PRACTICES
• Check the room or storage area where you wish to place the work

- The environment should be ideal to house the artwork

1. Check the following:

a. Light
b. Possible moisture that might come in
2. Artworks should not touch the floor. You may:
a. Put a sheet of bubblewrap on the floor where you wish to put the work
b. Support using pangkalang
3. Pest Control
 GENERAL PRACTICES
• Do not touch the artworks directly

- Our hands have sweat

- Prevents dirt from coming into contact with the artwork

1. Use appropriate gloves

2. Touch the frame, not the work
3. IF YOU MUST TOUCH THE ARTWORK (paper or painting) in urgent cases: touch the
top and bottom parts only.
 GENERAL PRACTICES
• Before interacting with the work, make sure you can move freely

- The proper attire will enable you to move freely.

1. Wear:
a. Comfortable clothing
b. Covered shoes ideal for lifting (ie. Rubber shoes)
2. Remove accessories on the hands, neck and ears.
3. Wear masks when handling works that may be toxic to you (an example is an artwork with
molds)
 GENERAL PRACTICES
• IDEALLY handle one artwork at a time.

- Do not rush. Handling one work at a time ensures your safety as well as the artwork’s
condition.

1. Talk to the curator/staff and decide what artworks should be prioritized. He/she decides
depending on:
a. The artworks needed for the exhibition
b. The artworks’ overall condition
PAINTINGS
 THINGS TO DO BEFORE
HANDLING PAINTINGS

1. Check the condition of the artwork. If the artwork is in poor condition, consult the artist
how he/she wants to handle his/her work. Ask the curator or conservator’s advice.
2. Check your physical capacity.
3. Based on the size of the painting, gauge if more than one person can lift the work.
4. Prepare pangkalang or bubblewrap in the desired position before lifting the work.
5. Wear gloves with utility grip.
 HANDLING PAINTINGS

Touch the frame of the

artwork. One hand must hold
the left side, and the other hand
must hold the bottom part of the
painting.
Photo:
Fernando Amorsolo Y Cueto (1892-1972)
National Artist for Painting (1972)
The Burning of Manila
1942
Oil on Masonite
National Museum of the Philippines
On loan from the collection of Enrique Zobel

Make sure that the image of the work faces you.

 PACKING THE ARTWORK
• Prepare the following: • General Rules:

1. Bubblewrap 1. Bubbles Out

2. Masking tape 2. Make sure no adhesives touches any part
3. Scissors of the artwork.
4. Permanent Marker 3. Being generous in applying masking tape
depends on the purpose of the packing.
5. Caption or label (paper with the details of
the artwork)
 PACKING THE PAINTING
1. Remove hooks or screws (Not advisable for short transport or exhibition purposes)
2. Put bubblewrap on top of a table with a flat surface. Note that the bubbles should be at the
bottom.
3. Put the artwork on top of the bubblewrap. Note that the back part of the painting must be
facing you.
4. Wrap as if wrapping a gift.
5. Put the caption/label in the same orientation with the artwork.
6. Put masking tape on the painting and draw an arrow. The arrow must point to the top part
of the painting.
 STACKING THE PAINTING
1. Get a pangkalang and put it on desired area.
2. Check the wall or area that will support the stack.
3. Stack works that are relatively the same size.
4. The first artwork on the stack must be the biggest, since it will support the weight of the
stack. It should face you.
5. Stack the first artwork in an incline. Do not make it flat on the wall.
6. Stack in alternating orientation (landscape, portrait, landscape, portrait, and so on) noting
the concept of back-to-back, front-to-front.
7. Do not use up the end of the pangkalang. Make an allowance.
8. Quantity of stack depends on the size of work.
 HOW TO STACK
Second painting on stack:
Back facing you
Horizontal

First painting
on stack:
Front facing you
Vertical
PAPER WORKS (LOOSE)
 HANDLING PAPER
• Prepare the following: • General Rules:

1. Foamboard 1. Always use a flat surface to transport

2. Japanese Paper paper.
3. Masking Tape 2. Carefully lift edges and support the work
to avoid crease.
4. Scissors
5. Permanent Marker
6. Caption or label (paper with the details of
the artwork)
7. Picture of the artwork
 HANDLING PAPER
1. Wear nitrile gloves.
2. Measure the paper.
3. Cut 2 foamboards keeping in mind the dimensions of the paper. Allot at least one inch per
side.
4. Wrap the foamboard with acid free paper. In the absence of acid free paper, Japanese paper
is a good alternative.
5. Lift paper carefully and put it on top of the first foamboard.
6. Use the other foamboard and place it on top of the paper.
7. Seal foamboards with masking tape.
8. Put photo of the artwork and caption/label on the foamboard with the image underneath.
THREE-DIMENSIONAL ARTWORKS
 BASIC HANDLING
1. Hold the artwork in its most stable area.
2. (If detachable): Ask the artist/gallery if you can detach pieces of the work .
3. Depending on the nature of the work, and the advice of the artist, wrap the work and or its
parts (if detachable) with either Bubblewrap or Japanese paper. Label each part to help the
artist or recipient to reconsruct the work again.
 REFERENCES
• Junior Museum Guide Workshop Kit (UP Jorge B. Vargas and Filipiniana Research Center)
• The Care and Handling of Art Objects: Practices in the Metropolitan Museum of Art by
Marjorie Shelley (1987)
• https://www.whalingmuseum.org/explore/collections/care-handling