Over the course of several months, the Henry will publicly display an unprecedented number of works from the museum’s permanent collection while the collection storage space undergoes an important upgrade. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to experience over 200 large, framed photographs, prints, and drawings that will be removed from storage and hung salon-style in the Henry’s expansive South Gallery.
After hanging, each work will be removed from the wall one by one for condition assessment, cataloging, and photography before being returned to storage, marking the progress of the collection team’s often-invisible work. Beyond facilitating the renovation of a critical art storage space, this process will allow Henry staff an opportunity to improve collections records and offer visitors a rare chance to see aspects of museum work that ordinarily happen behind closed doors.
A series of educational videos will be produced during the course of the installation and made available to watch on-demand in the gallery or online. Additionally, the Henry will host conversations with local arts professionals on topics relating to conservation, collection management, and other lesser known facets of museum operations.
CREDITS
Taking Care: Collections Support Studio is organized by Dr. Ann Poulson, Curator of Collections.