Bluemove

Introduction

The Blue move category encompasses the largest and most logistically challenging objects within the National Gallery’s collection. The most common example of works found in this category are the group of large altarpieces dating from the early renaissance section of the main Collection. These works are usually the heaviest pieces, being up to 500kgs in weight but are also very large objects in surface area with a complex construction.

Conservation issues within the altarpieces can also be significant and therefore this category includes a number of bespoke handling solutions to individual objects (see the additional projects described in this section including for NG1).

The category also includes all the largest canvas works found in other sections of the collection. These works are not necessarily significant in weight, but it has been determined that their scale precludes their inclusion in the silver category and therefore they fall within blue moves.

Large moves described by this category are not an everyday occurrence, however, moves of all category of works have increased significantly over the last few years and the biggest volume increase has probably been within this section. In total, works within this category account for around 10% of the main floor display but when moved can account for a significantly greater percentage of the Departments resources and time. For example, NG1 (described elsewhere in this section) takes around 3 days to reposition and the majority of the AH team to carry out this task.

Blue Equipment

As this includes the most technically challenging works in the collection, the process and equipment used to move these objects also tends to be the most complicated. The main piece of equipment used in a Blue move is the Blue Hoist. This item is essentially a large lifting and transportation device that also includes a significant working at height capability and several features to ease the operation and protect the object in transport.

Essentially though the concept for the Blue hoist is very similar to the Silver categories Stacker trolley. In keeping with our general approach to large equipment within the Gallery site, the design of the Blue Hoist is modular. As with the Stacker trolley, the lifting “engine” of the hoist is provided by a standard, 2000kgs stacker which marries with the hoist in a similar way to the Stacker trolley. The use of this approach has meant that the design could originally be more easily developed by the department as more complex elements, such as a hydraulic capability, could be ignored. The design also includes two working at height access towers that join with the main hoist body to provide access for the team. Tower outriggers (as found in standard mobile scaffold platforms) are not necessary as the main body of the hoist provides the stability. These towers can be swapped out for the GR12 Mewps accordingly, at least one MEWP always being needed to perform other functions with the hoist.

The design also includes a movable tyne system that is arranged in all three axis allowing the position of the hoist to be replicated for each move whilst the tynes go and “grab” the object. In addition, two “picture clamps” are situated at the top of the hoist. These can be adjusted to take into account the width of a picture (up to a maximum of 5.5metres) and are used to hold the painting vertically when the works are moved (something vital for the moving of altarpieces). The hoist has eliminated the need for manual lifting of the largest objects in the collection, however the operation still involves a significant use of the teams’ resource with at least 6 technicians required for a Blue move.

In addition to the hoist, Blue move equipment also includes other items such as the picture carrying “towers”. These are large, triangular shaped carrying scaffolds that are used to move objects through specific routes of the Gallery or to free the use of the Blue hoist, allowing multiple Blue moves in one session (something that has become more frequent).

Blue Hoist

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