The hottest season of the year is an invitation to the beach, to outdoor outings and to travel. But collectors should also be alert to the effects this period can have on artworks – and be prepared to minimise them. In this post, we talk about how to keep the art collection protected at this time of year.
With summer, the temperature rises and, with it, so does the relative humidity of the air – two risk factors for artistic objects. In some cases, the change of season can also bring about a change in the incidence of natural light, another point to watch.
The ideal conditions for keeping artworks are a constant temperature between 18 °C and 22 °C and relative air humidity between 45% and 55%, which can be maintained with a good air-conditioning system. If the property where the collection is kept already has one, remember to leave it running even while you are away travelling, and preferably with constant monitoring by someone you trust. It is also worth having a conversation with a climate control specialist.
Sudden changes in temperature and humidity can cause a number of unwanted effects on the works, starting with the natural expansion of materials, which distorts the dimensions of the object – even at a millimetric scale, this is very damaging to its proper conservation. An increase in humidity, in turn, is a magnet for urban pests and mould, other great enemies of the collection.
In situations like this, if the property does not have the ideal conditions for the safety of the works, it is possible to resort temporarily to solutions such as storage. The practice is very common in Europe: when families go away on long holiday trips, the most important artworks are temporarily taken to specialised warehouses to be kept protected, especially in the summer.
In Brazil, the service is offered by Clé Reserva Contemporânea. Our fully climate-controlled warehouse has private or shared spaces, all with security and a fire prevention system operating 24×7. Packing and transport services are offered by our partners.
Talk to a Clé specialist. We can help you find the ideal solution for your collection.
(Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash)
