Art and Object Handling with John Bracken

Object and materials conservation

Ref: M4E13597

Location: West Dean
£956
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About this course

This course is designed to offer participants guidance and practice in established methods for the handling, packing, storage and display of paintings and sculpture.

The first afternoon discusses object handling work at West Dean College. The second day introduces the principles of art handling followed by talks about painting conservation and transport /packing. The third day there will be talks and practical demonstrations on Risk and Method statements, health and safety and manual lifting. The fourth day deals with picture handling, hanger fitting and storage, and display in a gallery mock-up and the fifth day will concentrate on condition checking and installing sculpture.

The course begins at 14.00 on the Monday.

Course Description

Day 1  
12-1pm - Registration 
2pm Start of course.  Welcome Talks
2.45-5.40pm - Talks by West Dean College Tutors:  Books and Paper, Metals, Ceramics and Glass, Clocks
7-7.45pm- Dinner
  
Day 2     
9-10.30am - Basic art handling
1-2pm - Lunch
2-3.45pm - Preventative Conservation: Paintings
4-5.15pm - Painting: Condition checking
6-6.30pm - Science lab
7-7.45pm - Dinner

Day 3   
9am - Introduction to the day followed by Works on Paper
9.45-11am - Art Handling/Principles/Health and Safety/Manual Lifting
11.15am - Manual lifting, art transport procedure, unloading and movement      
1-1.45pm - Lunch
1.45-4pm - Unpacking
4-6pm - Picture hangers
7-7.45pm - Dinner 

Day 4   
9am - Picture handling and storage       
11.15am - Gallery layout, display height and fitting hangers
1-1.45pm - Lunch
1.45pm - Picture hanging 
4-5.30pm - Picture packing 
5.30- 6pm - Problem solving
7-7.45pm - Dinner 
8pm - Preventative conservation- Sculpture

Day 5   
9am - Sculpture handling, packing and storage      
11.15am - Lifting and transferring for display
1-1.45pm - Lunch
1.45pm - Unusual methods 
3.45pm - Issue of certificates, Course ends.

Timetable

Day 1  
12-1.30pm - Registration 
2pm - Start of course.  Welcome Talks
2.45-5.40pm - Talks by West Dean College Tutors:  Books and Paper, Metals, Ceramics and Glass, Clocks
7-7.45pm - Dinner

Day 2     
9-10.30am - Basic art handling
1-2pm - Lunch
2-3.45pm - Preventative Conservation: Paintings
4-5.15pm - Painting: Condition checking
6-6.30pm - Science lab
7-7.45pm - Dinner

Day 3   
9am - Introduction to the day followed by Works on Paper
9.45-11am - Art Handling/Principles/Health and Safety/Manual Lifting
11.15am - Manual lifting, art transport procedure, unloading and movement      
1-1.45pm - Lunch
1.45-4pm - Unpacking
4-6pm - Picture hangers
7-7.45pm - Dinner 

Day 4   
9am - Picture handling and storage       
11.15am - Gallery layout, display height and fitting hangers
1-1.45pm- Lunch
1.45pm - Picture hanging 
4-5.30pm - Picture packing 
5.30-6pm - Problem solving
7-7.45pm - Dinner 
8pm - Preventative conservation- Sculpture

Day 5   
9am - Sculpture handling, packing and storage      
11.15am - Lifting and transferring for display
1-1.45pm - Lunch
1.45pm - Unusual methods 
3.45pm - Issue of certificates, Course ends.

Course Materials

What students need to bring

If you work in an institution, museum or gallery, please bring with you a blank example of a painting or sculpture report for discussion. Whilst the tutor will be conducting all the demonstrations, it would be beneficial to delegates whose role does involve handling artwork to bring along boots.

Tutors

John Bracken

OMC Course Leader

John has 30 years' experience in the art world and a strong practical foundation in all aspects of the handling, installation and transit of artworks. He spent 16 years at the Tate, the last five as Operations Manager for their Collection Centre. In 2005 he left the Tate to set up Patina Art Collection Care Ltd.

Accommodation

Residential option available. Find out accommodation costs and how to book here.

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