Guideline 4.1

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Back to STANDARD 4: Transportation of Objects

Guideline 4.1:
Objects are transported only when necessary and always according to a pre-established plan

How can transportation of collection objects be kept to a minimum?

• Arrange for all work to be performed in-house within the storage area and thus under controlled conditions. (Contractors will often require reimbursement for travel to the object so this expense should be included in the budget.)

• Instruct exhibit team members to travel to the object for viewing and work activities. Dedicate a space near the storage area for design work and for mock-ups of layouts and object groupings, and for fitting mounts.

• For fragile objects, provide 2-D renditions such as photographs and drawings and 3-D replicas to serve as substitutes for the originals during the exhibit’s design development.

• Restrict an object’s trips to a few essential locations:

• The prepared planning/staging area for documenting, examining, measuring the object, etc.; and also for design layout and mountmaking.

• The conservation facility for object treatment.

• In certain instances, the object may need to travel to an outside workshop to be replicated. (In this instance the conservator or curator must accompany the object.)

• The exhibit location for final installation.