Are You Shipping Art Around The World?

It is something that never enters your mind when you visit a museum or art gallery; but how did all the exhibits get there? The answer, although very simple is actually quite complicated. They were shipped there, that is the answer but that only raises more questions; how and by whom?

Basically art crating in Los Angeles is a process whereby a special crate is designed and manufactured to house the object and protect it from damage while in transit. The trip may only be across town or it may be half way around the world and the crate that is travels in will reflect this.

When art is transported, and the art can be paintings, sculptures, antiques and heirlooms the objective is to ensure that they suffer no damage at all in transit. Damage can happen in a number of ways; all the potential problems must be identified and taken into account when fabricating the crate that it will travel in.

Firstly, all the material that is used in the crate must be brand new, never used before. Once the crate has been custom made it can be re-used of course, but for the same piece. This is important when the art pieces that are being shipped are owned by a museum and they are being sent around the world on tour, going from one museum to another.

When objects are being shipped overseas there are various rules and regulations that are imposed by countries to ensure that vermin or insects do not get into the country. These rules dictate materials that can and cannot be used when doing the art crating in Los Angeles area. Natural materials such as straw are not allowed and with other materials they must be fumigated before use. This elimination of some materials must be taken into account by the company that constructs the crate and packs the art ready for shipment.

The crate, once completed must be strong enough to withstand the rigors that it will face during travel. Heavy crates will be moved by fork lift trucks and pallet lifters; they must not give way under these conditions. The crate design also must take into account pilferage; they cannot be easily opened until they reach their destination where the crates are opened under the watchful eye of the caretaker of the artwork.