Transfer of Works of Art and Exhibitions
Transfer of Artworks
One of the functions of museums and also of culture lovers is to spread art. For this reason, on many occasions we are forced to carry out the transfer of paintings, sculptures, etc. to other cities and countries. These are works of great economic value and incalculable artistic value.
It is here that our company plays an important role, first understanding the importance of preserving the work and then proposing the lines of action that allow this transit to be safe. With specific training, the appropriate means and the necessary experience in the transport of delicate goods, we can propose a customized project for the transfer of paintings, sculptures and other artistic goods.
We work for museums, foundations, galleries, exhibition venues, public bodies and private collectors. We move works within the same building, between venues, to our storage facility or anywhere in Spain, and we adapt to each institution’s protocols: gallery hours, accreditation, the presence of the conservator or registrar, and the documentation the insurer requires.
- Special Packing
- Air-Conditioned Warehouse
- Exhibition Assembly
- Picture Transportation
- Sculpture Transfer
- Trained Staff
The art in movement
Experience: In 1984 we began our journey as a moving company, more than 40 years later we have acquired the necessary experience to participate in important transfers of sculptures, paintings, tapestries, ceramics and other works of art.
Professionalism: The training of our project managers guarantees a customized plan adapted to the conditions of each work, building and route. Our movement staff are trained and instructed for the tasks of packing and manipulating works of art and understand the importance of preserving the integrity of each good we transport.
Reliability: Institutions such as the Barcelona History Museum (MUHBA), the Port Museum of Tarragona, the Barcelona Design Museum (DHUB), the Department of Culture of the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB) have trusted us to move their collections. We also hold ISO 9001 quality, ISO 14001 environmental management and ISO 45001 occupational health and safety certification.
Capability: We make the most suitable packing materials available to the client and we have suitable vehicles for the transfer of works of art and specific means of handling: custom cars, crane bridges, scaffolding, etc.
Specific plan and organization tailored to each work .
A written work plan for every move: works, routes, equipment, team and schedule, reviewed with the institution’s conservator or registrar.
A condition report for every work at departure and on arrival, with general and detail photographs.
Packing with inert materials that will not harm the work over time: acid-free tissue, Tyvek, polyethylene foam and insulated wooden crates.
Trucks equipped for fine art transport, with air suspension, temperature and humidity control and alarm, among other features.
Our own temperature, relative humidity and vibration data loggers, which travel with the work when required.
Acclimatisation of pieces at the destination before opening when the work needs it, to avoid condensation and sudden changes in humidity.
Project managers and handling staff trained in the care of cultural property.
Traceability of every piece throughout the process and GPS tracking of our vehicles.
Coordination of Business Activities (CAE) by our Occupational Risk Prevention department.
How an artwork move with Control works
Site visit and planning
Before quoting we visit both the origin and the destination with the person in charge of the collection. We measure the works and the access routes (doors, corridors, stairs, lifts and floor loads), check where the truck can park and whether a street occupation permit is needed. With that information the project manager prepares the work plan: dates, team, lifting equipment, materials and the order in which each piece will be moved.
Condition report
Before moving a work we document its condition with general and detail photographs, and note cracks, flaking, old repairs or loose parts. On arrival we check it again and compare it with the departure report. When a piece requires it, we work with professional conservators, who can also stabilise it before the move.
Custom packing
Each piece gets the protection it needs: tissue paper and bubble wrap for simpler items, wooden crates and cages built to measure for large or heavy works, and carved foam supports for fragile or irregularly shaped pieces. We use inert materials and keep plastic from touching surfaces directly. Each crate is marked with its number, orientation and a fragile label.
Transport
Works travel secured and separated in our own trucks, handled by our own staff on a planned route. When the value or fragility of the work requires it, we record temperature, relative humidity and vibration during the journey. If the destination venue is not ready yet, the work can wait at our facilities in Pallejà.
Installation
At the destination, if the work needs it, we let the crates acclimatise before opening them. Then we unpack, check each work again and install it: hanging paintings, mounting display cases, installing heavy pieces with hoists or gantry cranes, and full exhibition set-up. Before removing the packing material we check it for any fragments.
Formed Staff and adequate means
CONTROL team has recognized experience and is qualified to develop a personalized work plan for each project, effectively covering all phases of the process: disassembly, packing, transport, unpacking and assembly. Each project is carried out under the advice of a Bachelor of Fine Arts with recognized experience in the sector to be able to attend their indications and offer the best conditions for each work of art.
The movement staff has the necessary experience to handle artistic goods, which together with adequate means makes possible a transfer with minimal risk.
Our trucks are manufactured with the latest technological advances for the preservation of works of art and we also have the most appropriate technical means of handling: scaffolding, crane bridges, special cars, etc.
When the work stays on the wall at its destination, installation follows the measurements set by the receiving institution or the party responsible for the exhibition design. We recommend that private clients and collections hire a conservator to advise them and, if they do not have one, we suggest reviewing the basic advice in our guide to hanging heights for pictures and artworks.
In transit storage
Our facilities in Pallejà (Barcelona) have climate-controlled storage and security systems: video surveillance cameras with motion-activated alarms, perimeter barriers around the whole site and access control with a record of every entry and exit by user, all connected to an alarm receiving centre 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
While the work is at our facilities we guarantee that temperature and relative humidity stay within the agreed values, and we can provide the data logger records so the client can check the conditions for the whole period. Tailored insurance can be arranged for these stays, based on the value of the works and the length of storage.
Custom crates and containers
Our technicians, together with our consultants with a degree in Fine Arts, previously study each work in order to present and manufacture custom-made packaging that guarantees the minimum risk during the transit of the piece.
We can make from simple packaging to more complex ones such as specific packaging for large-format works and sculptures.
All the timber used in our crates complies with the ISPM 15 (NIMF-15) standard, and we hold product data sheets for all the packing materials we use.
For two-dimensional works, mainly paintings and mirrors, we can build suspension crates, in which the work is suspended inside the crate and isolated from shocks and vibration. Depending on size and weight, we can also study this option for other types of works.
Chemical-free pest treatment
For wooden, textile or paper pieces at risk of pests, we apply pest eradication treatments, mainly by anoxia and by freezing shock treatment. They can be carried out before the move or while the work is in our storage facility. We have recently added a service that allows the treatment to be carried out at your own premises.
We choose the method according to the materials of each piece: anoxia for finished furniture, polychrome works or mixed-media pieces, and freezing for materials that tolerate it well.
Frequently asked questions about moving works of art
What insurance covers the work during the move?
We can arrange nail-to-nail insurance, which covers the work from the moment it is taken down at the origin until it is hung at the destination. We also work with the policy provided by the owner or the institution.
Do you move works for private clients?
Yes. As well as museums and institutions, we move paintings, sculptures and private collections, including as part of a house move. If it is one or a few paintings, you will find more information on our picture transport page.
Can you store the works for a while?
Yes, at our facilities in Pallejà (Barcelona), with surveillance and access control 24 hours a day. This is common between the close of one exhibition and the next, or during building work.
What do you need to prepare a quote?
A list of the works with approximate dimensions, the origin, the destination and the dates. With that we will call you to arrange the site visit.
Do you work outside Barcelona?
Yes. Our head office is in Pallejà (Barcelona) and we have an office in Madrid. We carry out moves throughout Spain.
Get a custom quote
Get to know your personal advisor
Get to know the difference of working with Control Movers by the hand of one of our personal advisors. Thanks to the figure of the personal advisor you will be accompanied from the first moment until the move is finished. First during the information and consultation phase, in order to offer you the best conditions for your move and in case of acceptance of our offer, also during the rest of the process until the transfer is finished. Do not hesitate to request a quote, we will be delighted.
