handling of artist books in public galleries

[judy bourke]

I recently picked up a work from a group exhibition. The work was taken down and packaged in bubble wrap but not folded in the concertina way it was delivered nor in the box I had chosen, provided and labelled with my name. I asked for the box but was looked at blankly by the staff member, probably a volunteer, who was packing up the show.
The work needed to be packed and stored as I had delivered it so it would not be damaged nor cause problems when next I got it out to exhibit.
I seems that the handling of artists' books is something that requires special attention by galleries with staff experienced in handling them .

what do I do in future? make sure I am there to pack the work myself? Leave written instructions for the volunteer staff when packing the work and give them photos of how it was delivered? Be more choosy when offering works to some galleries? Ask more questions of the curators?
Are there any curators out there or others how have had similar experiences who have some suggestions for me, as I'm a little annoyed at the moment? Judy

[Abigail Thomas]

Hi there, no solutions to your problem but there is a related discussion about displaying artists books in exhibitions in the group discussions. Group "Courses, Conferences and Workshops"