The Art of Transporting Artifacts

Most people cherish the opportunity to experience different forms of art. Unfortunately, most timeless pieces are not always accessible in some local museums. In light of this, a good number of museums tend to be open to the idea of lending out their classic pieces to enable more people to experience a wide range of culture. All manner of art pieces can be found beyond the confines of the museums they are associated with, but how does this happen? How does a delicate piece of art, for instance, find its way around the earth?

Facilitating Art Transport

Most museums see a good number of artifacts in their collections dispatched every few months. The preparation for this journey, however, is an intricate process which often begins days or even months before the actual release date. Whether the exhibition is located close to the museum or far abroad, the transportation of art should be well thought-out.

Every museum has a team of conservators. These individuals are often tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that the artwork is safe for transport. They also ensure that every detail about the object is well-captured in high-resolution photos, which are featured in exhibition catalogs. A specialized team of curators then supply the accompanying description text for the catalog, panel desk, labels and anything needed to tell the individual story of each artifact.

Most museums have a team which is tasked with the responsibility of facilitation and overseeing the transportation of art. As such, they are given the responsibility of coming up with special packaging to ensure the safe arrival of each piece. They also design specialized mounts for supporting objects on display.

Logistics

Logistics should be handled neatly and articulately. When it comes to the preparation, for instance, everything should be done by hand. As such, the object mounts and packaging methods used are items of bespoke tailoring. The packages used should provide the best possible fit, and they are mostly made from foam to protect the objects against shock. Mounts should be designed to support and protect the artifact while remaining as unobtrusive as possible.

Once the preparations are complete, museums can delegate the process to reliable moving companies of their choice. The museum, on the other hand, maintains constant communication between all stakeholders involved to ensure the process is successful.

Once they are dispatched, the objects are escorted by a team from the museum’s staff. Whether by road, sea, or air, this group from the museum is responsible for overseeing the safe loading or unloading of the artifacts in transit. Upon arrival, this team confirms every forensic detail as the pieces are unpacked to ensure no object is compromised.

Meticulous planning in art transport is vital. It helps us engage with the past and learn from these timeless pieces.