We spent a full day yesterday in Sheffield installing the [(6)] exhibition. I’ve learned a lot from this experience about setting up an exhibition (methods of fixing photographs and their relative cost and ease of installation), laying out an exhibition space (no substitute for visiting the location, aligning the midpoints of the pictures – 157 cm is standard height apparently), packing and making safe photographs in transit.
It took all day from 9.30 until 16.10 to complete the installation. There were three of us with help from two partners and we installed work in five gallery rooms – around 60 photographs of varying sizes from double A0 to 10 inch square. We also used a range of fixing methods – simple hangers glued to the back of foam core, battens with velcro, conventional picture hooks and battens with subframe on pictures.
My photographs are grouped in a nice room to the right of the entrance to the place, which is an old Georgian building and is a bit of a rabbit warren. The eight A1 prints with the single 40×30 inch glass framed print filled the space nicely – not cramped but not empty either. I changed the layout slightly on site to make use of the full wall space. I had to think carefully about hanging height. In the end I stuck with the recommendation of the Bank Street experts and made the mid-point 157cm from the floor. Whilst I wanted the viewer to be able to look at the portrait subjects eye to eye, of course eye level ranges from 4ft to 7ft depending on the build of the spectator (possibly even lower for someone in a wheelchair). So compromises have to be made. What was important for me was to keep the centres of the photographs at the same level.
My photographs were mounted on dibond (an aluminium composite material) with an aluminium subframe on the back. They were hung on wooden battens fixed to the wall with three screws. The gallery space had wooden walls so the screws were applied directly into the walls. There were two of us installing, me and my wife – this is to be recommended as measuring and levelling is easier with two pairs of hands.
Here are a couple of iPhone photos of my space:
My wife and I also installed Pete Mansell’s excellent photographs which deal with disability. Pete had more smaller images mounted on foam core. He had installed hangers on the images beforehand. These were plastic hangers which stick to the back of the foam core. It is a relatively inexpensive way of installing but highly effective and because the smaller images needed a single screw to fix them, it is also quite a speedy way of installing. After consultation with Pete we decided to hang his work 20 cm lower than the standard to make it more accessible for anyone in a wheelchair, reflecting the theme of the work. Here are a couple of photographs of Pete’s Gallery:
Nigel Haworth and Rob Briscoe handled the remainder of the installation including their own work and that of Dewald Botha (from China) and Tanya Ahmed (from New York). Nigel used conventional black wood frames with glass to show his work and Rob’s, Dewald’s and Tanya’s photographs were on foam core and were mounted onto the wall with velcro and battens. Some more images below:By just after 4 pm the work was done….onwards now to the Opening on Wednesday…. A final image of the installation team with their construction tools….
Vicki M
July 6, 2014
Fabulous! Well done and best of luck to all of you. How I wish I could be there—but unfortunately, other constraints don’t allow for it. Love the last image. I’ve never met Nigel—but both your and Rob’s character come shining through—so reckon I know Nigel a little too now! Best of luck with the opening night and the exhibition—to all of you!
Carol Street
July 6, 2014
Really well done to all you; having followed the progress of [(6)} from afar it’s great to see it in situ. Hope you are all really proud of what you’ve achieved. So sorry that I can’t visit but best of luck to you all. Like Vicki it’s nice to see the picture of you three: I’ve met Keith before but only ‘know’ Rob and Nigel through electronic media so really nice to put faces to the words. Good luck for Wednesday!
anomiepete
July 6, 2014
A very big thank you for taking and hanging my images Keith and Mrs Keith. It all has become very real now. 🙂
Catherine
July 6, 2014
So good to see the images on the walls at last and you look so happy – such an achievement, including what has seemed to be an excellent collaboration across the miles.
I can’t be there in person but will certainly be with you in spirit and thoughts.
Yiannitsa Cegarra
July 6, 2014
Looking forward to seeing it all. 🙂
gill6
July 6, 2014
What a joy to read your post and ‘feel’ your excitement! Unfortunately I can’t be in Sheffield during your exhibition, but wish you all the very best! This looks like a fascinating collaboration and a great space too! I hope you have a wonderful opening – enjoy and good luck! 🙂
Eddy Lerp
July 6, 2014
It’s been a real saga this, and a most interesting one from an outsiders point of view, very well done to you all you’ve certainly set a high standard for those that follow. Sorry but I won’t be able to make the show, but I’m sure there’ll be loyts of reviews and piccies from those who do make it. Well done all.
Stephanie Dh.
July 6, 2014
It really looks good!
Keith Greenough
July 7, 2014
Thanks everyone….we are all a bit nervous now…. Think there will be some video coverage via OCA for those not attending and there is always the book! seehttp://www.blurb.co.uk/b/5400634-6
Vicki M
July 7, 2014
Mine’s already ordered!!
Keith Greenough
July 7, 2014
great you can use it as source material for ivc
selinawallace
July 9, 2014
Thanks for all the detail on the hanging etc – a learning resource for the rest of us.
Hope the opening goes/went well! Wish I could come too,
Selina
Guy
July 10, 2014
Hi Keith
Just looking at the Bank Street Arts web page to see how your event was being presented and I noticed that even though the opening page includes a list of all six photographers who are presenting, on this page
http://six-scapes.weebly.com/artists.html
the “Artists” menu lists only five artists. The missing one is you. I have no idea whether this matters to you, but I would likely want to fix it if it were me.
Regards
Keith Greenough
July 12, 2014
Thanks Guy..fixed now.
Anne
July 20, 2014
Hi Keith, Visited Bank Street yesterday, met up with Rob and Pete and a few others, your work looked great, reminded me of Greek gods looking down on me a mere (very unfit) mortal 🙂
I’m told you hung it based on measurements to centre, but I thought that the eye line being significantly higher than mine really added to it!
Cheers
Anne
Keith Greenough
July 20, 2014
Thanks Anne. Yes apparently the standard galleries work to is 157cm to centre of image. This must be based on some idea of average heights of viewers. That said I now think it is important to think through the height beyond any notion of standardisation. It’s a bit tricky though given the wide variations in the height of viewers. I remember reading a Roni Horn interview in which she explained how she had placed her photographs above normal eyeline. This forced the viewer back to the centre of the gallery encouraging her/him to view the installation as a whole.