Opinions Wanted Hanging a Samoan Sapo

[Terry S Williams]

Because my wife is part of the team that decorates our church and I assist her (the brawn part) I have been tasked with coming up with a way to temporally hang a Samoan “Sapo”. Mind you, the fact that I happen to be a framer is not why I have been asked to do this. Had I had no clue about this kind of thing I would still been asked to do it. Also, with or without me the Sapo will be hung this weekend. I am hoping with my input any damage to it will be minimized.

The Sapo is about 20 feet long by about 10-12 feet wide. It is made of hand made paper, is over 100 years old and is showing its age. Although the paper is thick, double layered and the fibers appear course (Palm leaves?) it is delaminating in places and has longitudinal tears
As for the tears, I was told to use masking tape to repair them (that won’t be happening).

So this is my plan for suspending it. I plan to get a piece of 2” schedule forty, PVC pipe and secure two strips of canvas the length of the pipe, each approximately two feet wide.
Then, lay the top of the Sapo between the two pieces of canvas and rolling it until the canvas is no longer showing. Then securing the pipe so it will not unroll and suspending the pipe in a manner that the Sapo will hang free.

I do not want to do any further harm to this piece but am at a dilemma as to how to secure the tears without using some form of adhesive which I know is a major No No.

PS there is no budget (as in no money) for this project.

Suggestions?

Thanks
Terry

 

[Doug Gemmell]

The title of the thread is a little disturbing. Especially if you're a Samoan Sapo. Anyway, who owns the piece? If the tears aren't too big, you may get away with using rice paper and rice paste as a temporary fix. Or maybe overlap the edges of the tear and sew or shoot with AttachEZ?

 

[Rick Granick]

The method you describe is probably as non-invasive as anything you could do, and actually is quite clever, I think. That said, it sounds as though this item is not a good candidate for display by hanging, as even the sagging of its own weight may cause further damage. How temporary is the display intended to be? Is there a large space such as a gym floor etc. where the piece could be rolled out and displayed flat, and people could walk around it to view it, much like a site-specific installation in a gallery or museum? Of course you would need barriers or supervision if kids will be there. Just thinking out loud here...
Rick

 

[Terry S Williams]

Although this is not a good candidate for hanging there is no room to display it on the floor. It is my understanding that it will be displayed this weekend and it is my hope that only this weekend. It will be displayed behind the where the pastor will be standing. I am planning on using PVC 2" diameter but am wondering if 4" would be better. None of the Sapo will be in direct contact with the PVC.

 

[osgood]

l
So this is my plan for suspending it. I plan to get a piece of 2” schedule forty, PVC pipe and secure two strips of canvas the length of the pipe, each approximately two feet wide.
Then, lay the top of the Sapo between the two pieces of canvas and rolling it until the canvas is no longer showing. Then securing the pipe so it will not unroll and suspending the pipe in a manner that the Sapo will hang free.

Terry,
Call me dumb as two short planks, but I don't understand this method from your description.
Can you post an illustration?

 

[Terry S Williams]

Sorry I cannot. Maybe I can explain it a bit better.
The idea is to attach two pieces of muslin to a piece of PVC or plastic pipe, usually used for plumbing. The muslin is attached as if the pipe is the binding on a book and the muslin pieces are pages. The top of the "Sapo" is then placed between the two "pages" and the pipe is rolled until the muslin is no longer visible. The friction of the muslin sandwich secures the Sapo without adhesives or anything piercing it. It is hoped that the 2" pipe will be sufficient diameter to do no further harm to the piece.
From what I have read on the net it appears that it is made of Coconut leaves.

 

[osgood]

Thanks Terry.
I think I understand now. I guess that the part of the Sapo that's between the pieces of muslin is partially rolled around the pipe and wouldn't be visible.

By the way, great surname!

 

[Terry S Williams]

Because of it's size not all of it will be visible anyway. Plus, it has a margin as I recall.

I've been told that Williams stands for Protector. I guess, in a way, that is what I'm trying to do with this.

 

[osgood]

I've been told that Williams stands for Protector.

According to some heraldry sites it means 'Helmet' or 'Protector'.

Maybe we should come up with a way to use the meaning in some form of business promotion.

'Protector by name, Protector by Profession'

 

[Terry S Williams]

In my opinion "Do no further harm" isn't just for the medical profession.
It is special to me that my certificate states that I have "acquired the skills to Responsibly Practice the Art and Science of Picture Framing".

So yes there aught to be a way that we can incorporate "Protector" in our business promotion.

 

[BILL WARD]

a piece of 2” schedule forty, PVC pipe --- 20' long

you are biting off alot to chew! man That's a LOT of sag!!!!!!!!!! 2" PVC shows bowing in a 5' piece(with ANY weight on it). you're gonna need many hangers (like every 2-3 ft) and 6-8 top-to-bottom braces? Also, might using tulle, etc pulled over the front and tightly/secured behind help take tension off the piece itself(more $$/time)---from the sounds of it's condition this should have been done in the past when hung but wasn't(relying solely on the strength of the 'cloth')...when rolled for storage, how large a diameter does this have? would they consider putting it inside a PVC tube(with screw on cap) as a good way to protect it from bugs/elements? which also brings up--would you need some of those moisture absorbers inside such a package(to be changed out periodically? lol on this

 

[Terry S Williams]

Final outcome

Instead of rolling the "Cieopo"(still haven't gotten the spelling right) it was gently folded lengthwise, along the original fold line. Then it was draped over the PVC pipe that had 3/4" cast iron pipe in the center for added strength and to avoid a great deal of sag. The PVC pipe had white felt ATGed to it to keep the Cieopo from rubbing on it. The Cieopo was suspended above the ground high enough to keep the bottom about 2" above the floor. It took 4 people to hang it up, all wearing white gloves, while keeping it from dragging on the ground.
Instead of being up for one weekend it was up until the end of September.
When taken down it was folded up and put back in a large garbage bag.