Aluminiummove

Introduction

The Silver move category covers most of the mid-range installations and moves that we undertake. This category probably accounts for around 20 to 25% of all moves that occur and requires the use of a minimum of three Art Handlers plus the designated equipment (as described here). For these moves, we set a limit of 150kgs in weight for the object being moved. Most of the works that fall into this category also tend to be large in area with a major dimension usually exceeding 2 metres. A lower weight limit is not set as the category considers the physical dimensions of the paintings involved as well as their weight. Often, we find canvas paintings can be light enough to fall within the yellow category but of such dimensions as to create significant problems when manually handling them.

Works within this category are usually transported singularly on stacker trolleys (see equipment). There are a variety of hanging methods employed when installing these works though the most common are supporting brackets and plates or a suspension system (within the National gallery chains are employed). Usually, given the size of the works, standard security is employed when on display.

Silver Equipment

The two primary pieces of equipment used in this category of move is a standard, 2000kg manually operated hydraulic stacker (maximum platform height of 4.5ms) and the National Gallery Stacker Trolley, designed by the department for this purpose. The aim of the Stacker trolley is to transport the painting to the installation site and then be attached to the manual stacker so providing the lifting power to install or de-install the work. This operation removes most of the manual handling of the work itself, so providing a good Health and Safety option for the department as well as improving basic preventative conservation needs when transporting larger paintings within the Gallery.

This type of equipment, from the original prototype, has been extensively remodelled and improved over a number of years through the creation of 7 different models or Marques. This includes designs which relate to specific roles necessary in the Gallery or specific objects in the Collection. For example, the Leonardo Cartoon is displayed using a specially reinforced, glazed steel box. This weighs about 190kgs so nominally would take it outside the silver category. However as this is the most efficient method we have of installing the work then a specific stacker trolley was created for this role.

When using this method of transportation and installation, it is often necessary for team members to work at height. Therefore, the third piece of equipment associated with the category is a Mewp, working at height runabout. The type we use is the Genie GR 12. This piece of equipment needs to be versatile and sensitive enough to work around the stacker trolley set-up and we have found it has almost completely eliminated the use of step ladders within the procedure, an original goal of the process design.

The original concept for the equipment came from one of our Senior Technicians and the following statement by him describes how a prototype design was first agreed:

Statement by Dan Metcalf

Senior Art Handler