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Archived ListServ Conversations: FACE
UP OR DOWN? From: Andi Alameda (aalameda@autrynationalcenter.org) Subject:
Face up or Face down? Hi Everyone, I'm training a couple of new members
of the collections department and would like get your opinion about whether a
painting should be placed into a travel crate face up or face down. Would you
also give me your reasoning as well? Many thanks in advance for your thoughts, Andi Registrar,
Loans and Exhibitions
Autry National Center
Los Angeles
FROM:
GGratton@Gallery.ca <GGratton@Gallery.ca> RE: Face up or Face down? We
at the National Gallery always put the paintings facing up because when you unpack
you see the work and frame if there was damage you would see this right away,
face down you see nothing of this when unpacking.
Guy Gratton
National
Gallery of Canada
Fabrication Supervisor
Technical Services
Phone
(613) 990-4535
Fax(613) 993-4385
From: Mani Bermejo <mbermejo@npg.org.uk> Hello
Re: face up or down:
Guy has valid reasons for suggesting face up;
in my experience, different institutions have different feelings about this.
Just some ideas: You could say that If the frame is simple place
the picture in the case face down. This will ensure when it lies down next that
the canvas sags away from stretcher and not acquire stretcher bar marks. This
applies to big pictures most, though if very big perhaps it should be crated standing? Additionally
when opened at the other end, if anyone drops anything on the picture there is
less risk of damage. It may well have been wrapped in polythene face down (to
tape at the back), so can be transferred easily (without turning) to a padded
table for unwrapping. If the frame is complicated, the case should have
been fitted to accommodate it, most probably face up in order not to pressure
the delicate frame. On the other hand: Placing the picture face up
will mean that if customs insist on opening the case, its contents are immediately
visible, and they would be less likely to handle it, and as Guy points out, damage
is more immediately visible. I'm sure there are other considerations out
there. In short it depends on the medium / nature / size of the picture, the case,
and the journey.
Mani Bermejo. Mani Bermejo
Head of Art Handling
National
Portrait Gallery St Martin's Place London WC2H OHE
020 7306 0055 ext 220 F
020 7306 0056 www.npg.org.uk
FROM: ottoawkc@earthlink.net <ottoawkc@earthlink.net> RE:
Face up or Face down? Regarding whether to place a painting into a travel
frame face-up or face-down, we almost always pack it face-up. For several reasons
- first, whoever unpacks the travel frame will have a clear view of what they
are dealing with, if it is a fragile painting and part of an exhibit, the front
covers can be removed and the painting can be used to lay out the exhibit while
still in the travel frame, and finally for most paintings we utilize Oz-clips
to fasten the painting into the frame -- these have to fastened to the back of
any artwork. Sincerely,
Michael G. Otto
ARTworks of Kansas City FAS
FROM: bryan <bryan@cookescrating.com> I would like to add
to Mani's excellent comments. I agree that It depends greatly on the type of painting
and it's size. I don't think any painting on canvas or linen should ride flat
in a crate for transit because it places too much stress on the fabric and on
the paint layers. This is because the canvas sags under it's weight and "bounces"
when the truck or airplane is jarred enroute. We have received paintings, delivered
to us riding flat, with the paint layer creased by contact with the stretcher
supports. If -- for some compelling reason -- the painting must be transported
in a horizontal position, I would also recommend riding it face down. There are
several reasons for this. first: the canvas will sag away from the stretchers.
Second: when the canvas is returned to normal vertical position it will
"compress" the paint layers -- whereas when it has sagged inward the
paint must "stretch" to achieve a flat surface. Third: although it is
nice to see the painting when the crate is opened, it is better for the "oops"
to have occured against the reverse of the painting, which should have a protective
backing, than against the exposed face of the painting. (Oops's include pens falling
out of pockets, bolts or washers from the lid as it is being removed, etc.) If
the painting is painted on board, or some other solid surface, than it will probably
be ok to ride flat. The exception for placing paintings on canvas in a
horizontal position is that it is probably ok to install or unpack a painting
from a traveling frame or crate while it is laid flat because the work is done
under controlled conditions and the painting can be observed for possible distress.
But when it is concealed inside a crate you will not know how much stress is occuring
to the canvas and paint layers. Best regards and Happy New Year to All.
Bryan Cooke | 
