It takes a village to install a new wing. And a lot of organization.
The staff working in our new Contemporary Art + Design Wing are obsessive about detail. Every step of the installation process is documented, every piece of glass numbered, and detailed photos and notes are taken along the way.
Installing a sculpture like Robert Rauschenberg’s Tire is pretty straightforward, but sculptures with multiple pieces, like Katherine Gray’s Forest Glass or our new acquisition, Javier Perez’s Carroña (Carrion), takes a lot of coordination. It’s like putting together a puzzle.
Forest Glass, which includes about 2,000 everyday drinking glasses carefully arranged to form the outline of trees, was previously installed in our Heineman Gallery landing. At that time, the artist herself directed the installation to reflect her vision.
Forest Glass, Kaherine Gray, Los Angeles, CA, 2009. 2010.4.49.
When the work was de-installed, the registrars (staff members who track the collection) numbered every single drinking glass and carefully documented its location on one of the sculpture’s 34 Plexiglass shelves. This kind of detailed work now makes it easier and faster to reinstall the work as the artist envisioned it.
Manager of collections and exhibitions, Warren Bunn, shows the detailed “key” created to ensure each of the 2,000 drinking glasses is placed in just the right spot.
Carroña (Carrion) is an elaborate chandelier whose many parts were blown and tooled of transparent blood-red glass, assembled and hung, then intentionally dropped. A flock of taxidermied crows perches on the fallen carcass, and shards dangle from their mouths.
Carroña (Carrion), Javier Perez, Murano, Italy, 2011. 2012.3.33
This is the first time the Museum will install the work. Each piece is laid on a table, numbered, and, as the piece is installed, the process will be documented.
There are over 20 people on any given day installing works and also artwork platforms and enclosures. Documentation, organized work stations, and strong communication are key.
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- Every piece is documented and staff can reference a central installation guide.
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- Every piece is documented and staff can reference a central installation guide.
Over in the new Amphitheater Hot Shop, the team work continues. This week, another significant milestone: the glass programs staff tested the equipment by blowing glass for the first time in the new hot shop!
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- The first of many great works to be made in our new hot shop.
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- Testing out the new super-sized glory hole.
As always, remember to save the date for our opening. Free admission, live demos and other great activities all weekend long, March 20-22.
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