Preservation and Presentation of Installation Art

Hirschhorn, Thomas

Doppelgarage

1. Research questions
2. Installing the artwork
3. Inventory and photo documentation
4. Geodetic measurement
5. Dismantling and storage
6. Conservation issues

Installation_handbook (pdf/3088kb)
2. mounting_wall_panel (mpg/7086kb)
3. taping_joins (mpg/2011kb)
4. positioning_landscape (MPG/2422kb)
5. attaching_tape_to_landscape (MPG/4782kb)
6. positioning_wall (mpg/2628kb)
7. checking_engines (MPG/3996kb)
8. Hirschhorn at work1 (MPG/916kb)
8. Hirschhorn at work2 (mpg/1348kb)

2. Installing the artwork (April 2007)
creator(s) Maike Grün (conservator)
contributors: Bianca Ratajczak (conservation student); Schroedl & Venhofen (carpenters), Heiko Blankenstein and Rufus Kraus (artist’s assistants); Dietmar Stegemann, Wolfgang Wastian, Frank Maier, Benjamin Bergmann (art handlers and technicians); Lars Raffelt (electrician and IT-specialist); Simone Kober (registrar); Sibylle Forster (photographer); Bernhart Schwenk (curator); Thomas Hirschhorn (artist)

Thomas Hirschhorn's 'Doppelgarage' was erected in Munich's Pinakothek der Moderne in February/March 2005 shortly after its acquisition for the museum's contemporary art collection. Eight intensive work days were required between delivery of the dismantled parts and the opening of the exhibition. Prior to this, carpenters had been reconstructing the Berlin gallery space in the Pinakothek's temporary exhibition area so that the whole setting-up process lasted a good two weeks. The work involved a long list of specialists. Art historians were on hand to consult and keep in touch with Thomas Hirschhorn by telephone. Art handlers, staff from Arndt & Partner and Hirschhorn's assistants did the actual setting-up. Safety experts checked the emergency exits, technicians installed the electrical fittings and conservators ensured that the objects were correctly handled. The conservators also compiled an Installation Handbook. On the last day, final adjustments were made by Hirschhorn in person.

The Installation Handbook, complete with a wealth of photographs and video clips, describes and documents every detail of the setting-up process. It provides a record of setting-up under the direction of the artist and his assistants. Compilation of this documentation is essential to ensure the integrity of future reinstallations.

Click download for Installation Handbook (PDF).

Click download for movies (avi/mpeg):
1. The setting-up process in fast motion via two webcams (video: Maike Grün and Lars Raffelt, Bayerische Staatsgemäldesammlungen) - damaged files can't be shown any more!
2. Mounting a card board wall panel (video: Bianca Ratajczak)
3. Taping joins (video: Bianca Ratajczak)
4. Positioning a landscape collage still in its protective packing (video: Bianca Ratajczak)
5. Attaching tape to a landscape collage (video: Bianca Ratajczak)
6. Positioning a wall (video: Bianca Ratajczak)
7. Checking the model railway engines (video: Bianca Ratajczak)
8. Thomas Hirschhorn at work (video: Bianca Ratajczak)

PHOTO Bianca Ratajczak © VG Bild-Kunst Bonn, 2007