Many art owners link art installation services to drilling or hanging only. However, in practice, three-quarters of the work done by art handlers happens before the installation process itself. Read this guide to pre-installation intelligence to learn how proper preparation aids art conservation and professional handling.
The Role of Wall Composition
Installers never treat walls as vertical surfaces only. They perceive walls as vital structural systems with specific characteristics and art installation limitations. Composition matters a lot at this point, with drywall having no load-bearing capacity, and lath or plaster walls behaving too unpredictably to be considered safe. Concrete walls can bear significant weight, but the drilling and anchoring technique makes a real difference to their holding power. These examples illustrate the complexities of decision-making processes for art installation, starting with wall assessment.
Load Paths and Anchoring Logic in Art Installation Services
As a rule, artwork placement never fails immediately; structural failure happens over time, leading to unpredictable but definitely negative consequences. That’s why art installers must consider load paths and develop custom-tailored anchor logic to ensure correct load sharing and isolation. Important considerations relate to torque and leverage, which may cause unwanted rotational forces in some types of art installation.
Consideration of Environmental Factors
A proper account of environmental impacts is also at the heart of professional art installation services. Vibration from elevators and nearby roads may cause fasteners to loosen over time, while HVAC airflows may affect pressure and lead to oscillation or drift in lightweight, suspended artwork. Humidity changes trigger contraction and expansion cycles, thus loosening the fixation of the artwork in its frame or on the wall. Other factors of influence also include UV exposure and foot traffic patterns, which pose safety concerns.
Negotiating Safety with Client Requests: An Installer’s Dilemma
While an art installation team can handle all environmental and structural challenges quite well, the most complicated aspect often relates to the client’s will. Many art owners envision art placement in a specific way, which meets their aesthetic goals and ambitions. However, art installers are likely to reject the client-requested placement in case of:
- absence of structural support in the wall;
- excessive vibration or airflow in the area of artwork installation;
- the spot’s proximity to heat sources, sunlight, or humidity sources;
- unsafe clearance for servicing staff or artwork viewers;
- elevated risks of future removal or relocation.
This way, as you can see, the art handler’s work isn’t limited to the execution of the physical art placement. It also extends to artwork protection and failure anticipation.