Many think of installing an art exhibition in terms of hanging and placing artwork, aligning the labels, and removing the debris. Yet, organizing and executing the process of art exhibition installation is less straightforward than it looks from the outside. In most cases, it represents a balance of intuition, precision, and extensive expertise. Here is a sneak peek into the nuances and life hacks of bringing a gallery exhibition to life.

Planning with Flexibility

A concise floor plan is the main starting point of any exhibition planning process. Space should be measured, and the exhibition layout should be sketched with engineering precision. However, sticking to a plan mindlessly without hearing the voice of common sense is a failing strategy. Expert art handlers know that some adjustments may be required when the actual art placement doesn’t look as good as it seemed to look on paper.

Accuracy as a Top Priority

Art objects hung even half an inch off level can ruin visual consistency and make the exhibition look non-professional. That’s why experienced art handlers use laser guides and digital levels to make sure the right spacing is maintained. Still, in the world of precise professional equipment, there is always room for the old-school eyeball test, as walls may not be ideally flat in some gallery spaces. 

Conservation-Level Handling

At the heart of professional art handling during exhibition installation is the highest degree of care for the art piece. The principle is equally relevant to emerging artists’ prints and six-figure paintings by iconic artists, as art is a cultural legacy with immeasurable value. That’s why the use of protective gloves, meticulous surface cleaning, and art handling in controlled environments are non-negotiable art handling standards.

Professional Hardware Choices

The choice of correct hardware also makes or breaks the installation process. Heavy artwork placement can’t be safe without French cleats, Z-bars, and wall-mounted brackets, while lightweight art objects will do with D-rings and wires. Wall assessment is also required to choose the right equipment, since brick, plaster, or temporary fair walls behave differently under impact and artwork weight. 

The Final Walkthrough: Micro-Adjustments after Art Exhibition Installation

Once everything is in place and every screw is tightened, an art exhibition installation expert should always go through the arrangement once more. At times, a series of micro-adjustments can transform the exhibition’s visual effect and make it way greater than the sum of its parts.