An art exhibition is typically thought to include the work of artists and artisans presenting their drawings, paintings, and sculpting to an audience in a viewing gallery. Architecture is used and integrated into an exhibit when the structure is built for a specific art show space.

Whether an art exhibit is showing the present work of one individual artist or a travelling group featuring a thirty year retrospective of computer animation using mixed media, the exhibition environment is controlled in order to preserve the art objects through time without adding to the normal degradation process.

The materials used by an artist in an art exhibition determine the necessary environmental controls. Normally art objects are best kept cool in the mid to low fifty degree level. Materials such as vellum and parchment are especially susceptible to changing humidity levels. Inks and pigments which are water soluble also require humidity control as well as transfer protection using impermeable barrier casing.

De-humidification and air conditioning are used together to maintain consistent levels of moisture and temperature. More sophisticated exhibition space will use zone control sensors that will adjust a specific area while maintaining overall temperature and humidity control. Light intensity and UV radiation are especially destructive to paper, pigments, and ink. Light is necessary to properly observe and appreciate art but they need to be in low light or total darkness when not being viewed. UV filters are helpful but give a false sense of security as they only block less than ten percent of UV radiation. Read the rest of this entry »