Mounting Dilema

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The Gilded Lily

The Gilded Lily

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 11, 2005
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111
Loc
Monroe, Georgia
• Large original mixed media, mostly watercolor on 2 ply heavy art paper, cockled and rolled
• Paper is trapezoidal: L 31 3/8, R 32 1/4, T 65 3/8, B 66 5/8
• Orange stripes are trapezoidal: L 27 5/8, R 28 3/8 (measurement is from top of upper stripe to bottom of lower)

Should I mat, hinge and corner mount which will result in the white borders outside of the orange stripes looking uneven? OR
Float the entire paper?
If floated, I'm seeking suggestions to adequately mount and support this distorted rolled paper with significant fiber memory tension. We need it to be preservation (not permanently) mounted.View attachment 19368View attachment 19369
 
Where is it written stone that a window mat has to be a perfect rectangle or square? Obviously it would be the preferred shape. In this case I would opt for a trapezoid opening to match the art. The mat will assist in controlling the curl of the rolled art.

First you have to address the curl of having had the art stored in a roll. This will take time to relax. I would then hinge the art rather than use corners. The art is just too large for just corners. You can place "loose" hinges on the sides and bottom to address some of the curl. Note that the wider the mat border the less distraction will be noted due to the trapezoid opening.
 
I agree with Jerome that the window can be cut to match the art shape, but I think it should be placed over a sink mount--rather than hinges or corners--to help accommodate the cockled art. That said it should be flattened as much as possible first which may be achieved by using a make-shift humidifier (see my online library or book) or if all applied medium is heat set then in a warm dry mount press. If a mechanical press is used be careful of pressure and consider only a closed but not locked press to warm and flatten. I flatten my own watercolors in my press all the time...but yes, they are mine.
Chris Paschke
 
I tend to disagree. A trapezoidal mat almost never works and distracts from the art. Do whatever is necessary to make the work reasonably flat... consult a paper conservator... float mount the work. Frame accordingly.

I do agree that maximizing the border, within reason, will diminish the odd shape.

I have to ask those who propose a trapezoidal mat... why not a trapezoidal frame? Yuk!

A frame encases the art and should not augment or change its presentation. I feel trapezoidal mats and frames do not display the art well and change its presentation to distraction.

The only exception might be an extreme trapezoid... then it might make good design sense.
 
I wouldn't mind a different shaped mat, but would leave that decision with the customer. Just tell customer that it is a possibility.

I would be a bit worried about float mounting something that has been rolled up and does not want to be flat. I would worry about either the hinges not being able to keep it 'flat' or the hinges being too strong and rip the art/paper.

So first step would be to try to get it as flat as possible. I have done that with my own art as well, might be a bit more hesitant doing this with customer's work, especially since this is mixed media and not watercolor only. What is in the mix????
 
The first question is, "Where did the artist mean to stop?". If the orange stripes are pressure-sensitive tape, are they part of the design? It is hard to tell from the photos what one is looking at but if they are part of the art, they will not age well, unkike the rest of the design. Over matting is always a better option, but when a design is non-representational, the artist may want the entire sheet exposed. It may be possible to flatten this by leaving it in a folder, under modest weight for some months, but it will not be completely flat. An over mat and edge support strips can hold it and flatten it, to some extent, and it could be hinged, if it were made more flat, first, but if that is pressrue-sensitive tape, the owner should know that it will change, over time and it will change more if it is exposed to light.



Hugh
 
Re: Mounting Dilemma

Thank you, thank you for all of your insightful comments! We plan to have a meeting with our client to clear up some of these issues. You have really helped in identifying questions to ask and present.

The mixed media is mostly watercolor with some other paint (not sure). The stripes are painted (no tape or paper). I believe that the artist planned for the image to stop at all four of the neatly lined out borders where the paint stopped. This is to be determined. Also think that the trapezoidal effect was purely unintentional. The paper was apparently hand cut with scissors and her lines were inaccurately measured off from there. Since the trapezoid is less than 1" over 5+', there is a big dilemma of whether to make the mat border or the image uneven.

I'm going to put it in the press today at 110 degrees with no vacuum for a couple of hours and see if it flattens some. How about spritzing some distilled water outside of the edges (not on the art)?

Chris, since the paper is 2 ply (actually a little less than), what would be the need to sink it versus matting directly on top. Stability in the sink? Would you hinge it also? I'm thinking of wrapping an acid free foam core with fabric, lining it with a 2 ply mat and glazing it with UV acrylic. This should have enough weight to keep it relatively flat. Anybody ever wrapped Coroplast?

More after our meeting. Can't wait to try and figure out this one's sister: larger, just as rolled and charcoal.

Much thanks again,
Don
 
Please keep in mind that water is the universal solvent and it will affect the chemistry of paper, to which it applied. Heat is often used as a means of artificially aging things and both should be avoided with anything that is being preserved. Since there are line that indicate the end of what is to be shown, overmatting is an ideal solution. The amount of space that should be added behind the window and be determined by laying the window on top of the art and seeing how well the art tolerates downward pressure. Since it is not antique and the paper should not be degraded, it is probable that it can be safely compressed, to some extent, but as it goes down, the cockles may multiply. It sounds as if the paper could be hinged, but edge support strips will hold it, with less effort and risk.


Hugh
 
I've wrapped coroplast with fabric with Frank's Fabric Adhesive. As long as the fabric is not silky thin it did not show rib lines. You'd have to experiment with the fabric you are using.
 
I would do a trapezoidal undermat of a color a bit darker than the background, then overmat with a rectangular mat.

And you can sink mat with two ply, too.
 
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