liability for art damaged during shipping

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K & H

Grumbler in Training
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Hi,
Recently, a gallery shipped art that I float-mounted and framed. The hinges tore and the edge of the artwork was bent. They sent it to a conservator who said the hinges were probably too weak for the this medium-weight paper, 32"X45" piece. I used LineCo pre-pasted paper hinges which I tore and wet the paper to activate the paste. I adhered 3/8" X 3/4" to the back of the artwork and then directly to the matboard I was mounting on. I used 3-4 v-hinges across the top, one loose on either side toward the bottom and two loose on the bottom. I have used this product before with great results and no torn hinges (or torn artwork!) that I know of. In additon, the conservator said I used too many hinges.
My questions, Did I use the right product? Should I have done a z-hinge (I think it is called that) when you put the hinges though slits in the mat to adhere it to the back? Should I always stick (no pun intended)to mulberry paper Nori paste? And finally, does the conservator have the last word as the gallery wants me to replace this piece. Thanks alot.
 
The hinges are supposed to tear so the art doesn't.

The requirements for the proper weight of hinges is probably different for shipping than it is for hanging. I think the framer's responsibility is to use the appropriate weight for hanging.

But what do I know?
 
If the piece is large, I use the z-hinge simply because it is far stronger than a simple v.

Generally the heavier the paper I use, the heavier the hinges, but I always make sure the hinges I use are still lighter than the piece I am hanging.

There's a possibility that it was just transported really roughly or it could be that it wasn't hinged with a heavy enough support, but my guess is that it was the former. I have seen so many things happen with shipped art.
 
It has always been my opinion that 'floated' artwork does not ship well. A shipped piece that takes a jolt and slips down, WILL dent as it bounces off the bottom. An overmatted piece would have had more support and very likely would have had no such damage.

Hinges passed through a slit in the backer are MUCH stronger and less likely to peel. However since the hinges tore, then they did what they were supposed to do, as everyone else has said. There is probably nothing that could have been done at your end to prevent this. The framed piece took a good knock in shipping and that the hinges tore prevented worse damage. If you had used heavy hinges, then there would have been a very good chance that the ART would have been the thing to give way and tear.

I don't understand the "too many hinges" comment. I use as many hinges as necessary. That sometimes means looser hinges down the side and across the bottom of a 'floated' piece to keep it from swinging sideways and flopping forward. Did I learn here that those are called 'idiot hinges?'

My educated opinion is that the stress of shipping was too much for this fragile piece.

And yes, if you are not going to cook your own paste, Nori is the only viable substitute, imho.

I don't know how to deal with the liability angle of it. If this is a good customer, then it is often worth it to just eat it and replace the piece. But only once. And I would make it very clear that you did this piece in proper fashion and cannot take on liability for something like shipping. That's nutty.

edie the timetocookthepaste goddess
 
Thanks for your input. At least I can feel more confident in how I hinged the piece. I honestly think even if I would have made a stronger hinge (by pasting two together) it would have been too strong. But I could have done z-hinges.
I have some ammo when approaching this gallery and future suggestions for galleries when they ship items.
As for insurance, they didn't do it. I guess I need to make sure they always do that. So are you saying I am liable because they didn't insure it?
The gallery wants me to use linen hinges from now on! Wonder what a conservator would say about that!? My, I am not binding a book and the paper was not heavy enough for that!
 
Folded top hinges will split if the mat is given a blow on it side. If the rest of the hinges were loose, and the work came off the back mat, that
may be what happened. The pass through hinges should give a more shock-resistant support, as
Edie suggested. Linen tape may have left you with
torn art paper.


Hugh
 
"They sent it to a conservator"

You may want to get a second opinion from a conservator of your choice.

Also, you stated the gallery shipped the art. This brings to question, how well was it packed and what shipper did they use? We do know that these two variables affect the survival of a package.

I really question your liability.

Mitch
 
I agree to ask another expert opinion. I would also see what LineCo has to say re: the wieght and application.
Remember opinions from experts are like armpits...everyone has one and they all stink . they stink even worse when they dont agree with yours
 
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