Display Techniques – JSS3 Cultural & Creative Arts Lesson Note (First Term)

An art exhibition is a space where art objects meet an audience, usually for a temporary period.

Behavioural objectives

1. Explain what an art exhibition is.
2. Distinguish between commercial and non-commercial exhibitions.
3. Describe juried, invitational and open exhibitions.
4. State how unbound and bound materials are displayed safely.
5. List ways of keeping exhibited items secure.

What is an art exhibition?

An art exhibition is a space in which art objects, in the widest sense, are shown to an audience.

• Time: an exhibition runs for a temporary period, unless it is stated to be a “permanent exhibition”, which is rare.
• Exhibit: an individual item shown in an exhibition.
• Works shown: pictures, drawings, video, sound, installation, performance, interactive art, new media art and sculpture.
• Who shows: individual artists, groups of artists, or collections of one form of art.

What names are used for an exhibition?

• American English: “exhibit”, “exposition” (the French word) or “show”.
• UK English: always “exhibition” or “show”, and an item in it is an “exhibit”.

Where are artworks exhibited?

Artworks are exhibited in museums, art halls, art clubs and private art galleries.

• Art venues: museums, art halls, art clubs and private galleries.
• Other places: a place whose main business is not art, such as a coffeehouse.
• Special occasions: a birthday, anniversary or commemoration may be the reason for the event.
• Sale of works: some or all works may be for sale, normally in private galleries, while in other shows none are.

What are the types of exhibitions?

Exhibitions are grouped as commercial or non-commercial, and by how many artists or what theme they cover.

What is a commercial exhibition?

A commercial exhibition is one where artists or dealers show work for sale, such as an art fair.

• Art fair (trade fair): shows the work of artists or art dealers, and participants generally pay a fee.
• Vanity gallery: an exhibition space that charges the artist for using the space.
• Commercial gallery show: often made up entirely of items for sale, sometimes with a few items not for sale.

What is a temporary museum exhibition?

A temporary museum exhibition is a short-term display, usually of items from the museum’s own collection.

• It covers a particular period, theme or topic.
• Loans from other collections, mostly other museums, may be added.
• It normally includes no items for sale.
• It is separate from the museum’s permanent displays.
• Most large museums set aside a space for it.

How do commercial and museum exhibitions differ?

What are other common types of exhibition?

• Retrospective: looks back over the work of a single artist.
• Solo show: an exhibition by one artist.
• Group show: an exhibition by a group of artists (collective exhibition).
• Survey show: an exhibition on a specific theme or topic.
• Biennale: a large exhibition held every two years, often meant to gather the best of international art.

What are juried, invitational and open exhibitions?

Exhibitions of new or recent art can be juried, invitational or open, depending on who chooses the works.

• Juried exhibition: a judge or group of judges selects which submitted works are shown, and usually picks prizewinners.
• Invitational exhibition: the organiser asks certain artists to supply works and exhibit them.
• Open (non-juried) exhibition: anybody may enter, and all works are shown.

What are the display methods?

Display methods are the ways of supporting and protecting exhibits so that they are not damaged.

• Bound materials: books and pamphlets.
• Unbound materials: manuscripts, cards, drawings and other two-dimensional items.
• Rule 1: observe proper display conditions to reduce the risk of physical damage.
• Rule 2: support and secure every displayed item adequately.

How are unbound materials displayed?

Unbound materials, usually single sheets, are attached securely to mounts unless they are matted or encapsulated.

• Fasteners to avoid: metal fasteners, pins, screws and thumbtacks must not touch exhibit items.
• Safe holders: photo corners, or polyethylene or polyester film straps, hold the object to the support.
• Encapsulation: the object is sealed in polyester film.
• Old acidic paper: have it professionally deacidified before encapsulation.
• Sealing: use ultrasonic or heat seals where possible, to stop slippage.
• Matting: an effective option for objects that must be hung and need more protection than thin film.

How are framed objects protected?

Framed objects are separated from harmful materials by matting, glazing and backing layers.

• Matting: two pH-neutral or alkaline boards, with a window cut in the top board so the object can be seen.
• Use of matting: supports and improves the display of single sheets or folded items.
• Backing layer: archival cardboard, thick enough to protect the object.
• Glazing: protective glass or plastic must never touch the object.
• Frame: well sealed and hung securely.
• Air space: leave a gap for air to circulate between the frame and the wall.

How are bound materials displayed?

The most common way to display a bound material is to close it and lay it flat.

• Open volumes: open them only as far as the binding allows.
• Angle: common practice is no more than 135°.

What equipment supports an open book?

• Blocks or wedges: hold a book cover to reduce strain at the hinge.
• Cradles: support a volume as it lies open, without stress to the binding.
• Polyester film strips: help to secure open leaves.
• Text block supports: best used with cradles where the text block is over 1/2 inch thick or visibly sags.

How can damage to an open book be reduced?

1. Accept that any book kept open for long can be damaged, whatever the support.
2. Turn the pages every few days.
3. This protects pages from too much light.
4. It also spreads the strain on the binding.

How are exhibited items kept secure?

Exhibited items are kept secure by locks, strong glazing, patrols and alarms, because they are often of special interest and may be stolen or vandalised.

• Locked cases: exhibition cases should be securely locked.
• Safe glazing: glazing should resist penetration and, if broken, should not drop glass shards on the exhibits.
• Patrols: patrol the exhibition area whenever possible.
• 24-hour security: recommended when precious treasures are shown.
• Intruder alarms: fit them at entry points to the building and in internal areas.

Evaluation

1. What is an art exhibition?
2. State two differences between a commercial exhibition and a temporary museum exhibition.
3. Explain the difference between a juried exhibition and an open exhibition.
4. Why should metal pins and thumbtacks not touch exhibit items?
5. State three ways of improving the security of an exhibition.

Assignment

1. Write short notes on retrospective, solo show and group show.
2. Describe how a book can be displayed open without damaging it.