Presented by Nishant Chawla

Shipping Fine Art To & From India

UAPL PROCEDURES

¨  FOR PACKING, CRATING, HANDLING & TRANSPORT. ¨  To liaise with the lenders, the Art Galleries/Museums/Organisers and

the transport companies to enable the collection and return of works to an agreed schedule and standards.

¨  UAPL is responsible for ensuring we handle, pack, transport and store the loaned works to the same standards that Museums/ Art Galleries use for their permanent collections. If there are any objects which present special problems in packing and handling, the lenders/Museums/Art Galleries must be consulted to determine the most appropriate method. Our guidelines for packing and handling of fine art are detailed below.

¨  All works of art must be handled in a very professional and careful manner. Here are some of the Specific Requirements & procedures to be followed by all UAPL employees, when handling works of art.

SURVEY OF FINE ARTS

¨  All works are first physically surveyed to understand the nature of the art work

¨  Survey is done by experienced Art handlers (Surveyor)

¨  While survey, surveyor has to see the packing area and accessibility

¨  Surveyor carries a pair of white cotton gloves, fiberglass inch tape and camera

¨  Survey is done keeping the fact of safe orientation of the art works inside the crate

HANDLING

Handling Fine and Decorative Art of All Kinds ¨  Movement of works should be carried

out carefully and methodically ensuring the directions of upright positions and all.

¨  Clean cotton gloves should be worn at all times.

¨  Sufficient staff should be on hand to enable the safe handling and security of the objects.

HANDLING

¨  When decorative arts objects are moved within a room they should be carried in a container such as a box or basket, lined with supportive acid-free tissue wads. The wads are made by wrapping two sheets of tissue around one hand, to create an air pocket within the tissue, and then simultaneously scrunching and loosely “rolling” the tissue to tuck in the cut edges of the tissue to create a springy, circular, bun-shaped pad. The wad should not be too tightly compressed or it will not provide effective cushioning in transit.

HANDLING

Handling Sculpture and Decorative Arts Objects ¨  Objects should be handled using both hands, and whilst

wearing clean cotton gloves. ¨  Objects should be lifted by the main body, and not by

projecting parts. ¨  Before handling the ways and exits should be examined and

measured in advance to make sure smooth and safe handling.

HANDLING & PACKING

Handling Framed works of Art ¨  Stacking of works should be avoided. ¨  Frames should be carried holding the frame on two

opposing sides. The picture surface should face towards the carrier, when the work is carried by one person only.

¨  Never touch the surface of a painting or drawing.

Packing & Unpacking of All Kinds of Fine Arts ¨  All works should be crated to Gallery

Specifications, Or UAPL specifications where no Gallery specs have been provided.

¨  Wherever possible, works should not be unpacked for 24 hours following transportation to enable gradual acclimatisation.

¨  A list of the contents of the crate should be included inside the top of the crate.

¨  Works should be unpacked on to a stable table top, covered with clean acid free tissue.

PACKING - Sculpture & Decorative Arts Objects

¨  Crates should be labelled “Fragile” with the international symbol for a fragile load (an icon of a wine glass). Indication of the correct orientation for the crate should be indicated with labels stating “this way up” with an arrow pointing to the top of the crate.

¨  Objects should be packed using acid-free tissue paper wads or conservation approved plastazote foam, cut to fit the objects. Polystyrene beads or chips should not be used. Polythene bubble wrap may be used to line boxes or crates, but should not usually come into direct contact with objects without a buffering layer of acid free tissue in between. An exception to this is the use of bubble wrap to wrap sculptures and projecting parts of furniture. Metal objects should never be sealed in bubble wrap or polythene, due to the risk of corrosion caused by condensation.

¨  Objects should be surrounded by packing material: below, above and on all sides.

¨  Adhesive tapes should be avoided in packing, due to the risk of accidental adhesion to objects. Tape may be used to secure bubble wrap, but great care should be taken only to stick the tape to the exterior of the wrapping material.

PACKING - Sculpture & Decorative Arts Objects

¨  Decorative arts objects should not be wrapped up in tissue, as the objects need to be easily distinguished from the packing material when unpacking.

¨  Sufficient packing materials (acid free tissue wads) should be used to support objects, particularly at points of stress, and to prevent movement of the object within its crate or box. However objects should not be packed too tightly, as this can exert pressure on the object.

¨  Loose component parts of an object should be handled and packed separately. ¨  Loose non-separable parts of furniture (eg drawers, handles) or sculpture should be

secured with cotton tape with bubble wrap padding to prevent damage by pressure from the cotton tape. Do not lock drawers in furniture, as they may jam in transit.

¨  Objects should be packed in distinct layers, separated by acid free tissue. Heavier, robust objects should be packed at the bottom of the crate with smaller, more fragile objects packed at the top. Very small components may be packed in bubble wrap bags. Smaller, delicate items may be packed in a smaller box (lined with acid free tissue), within the crate.

¨  Flat objects, such as plates, should normally be packed on their edge as they are less subject to impact in this position

STORAGE

¨  Storage should be secure and climate controlled.

¨  Using dehumidifiers & air-conditions. ¨  Store rooms should be kept clean

and tidy. ¨  Crated works of art should be

stored on pallets, not directly on the floor.

¨  Works of art should be stored with the crate oriented upright so that the paintings are the same way that they would usually hang, whether landscape or portrait format.

TRANSPORTATION

¨  Transportation by road should be in fully closed hard walled secured trucks, equipped with a mobile phone and an internal strapping system. A supply of clean blankets, bubble wrap and acid free tissue should be carried.

¨  The cargo area of the truck should be clean and free of any loose objects/particles.

¨  Works should be crated for transportation, as per Museum specifications.

¨  Crates should be strapped or wedged so that they cannot move about when in transit.

¨  There should be a minimum of two UAPL staff with the works in transit, at all times, other than when the shipments are on board vessel or on the aircraft or accompanied by a courier designated by the lender/Museum/Art Gallery/Organiser.

¨  Loading/Unloading of works into the trucks in strong wind or rain is to be avoided, unless required in an emergency.

AIRPORT SUPERVISION

¨  To handle successful fine art consignment is to have maximum control on the consignment starting from packing, handling, transportation and handover to airlines.

¨  But the key is to go one step more and oversee the handling at airport, witnessing the palletizing / de-palletizing of the consignment.

¨  Permissions for overseeing the handling at airport can be obtained at the time of filing the documents at Customs (depending on the security situation at each city).

UAPL’s responsibilities include ensuring that at origin/destination and the Museum/Art Gallery/Organiser are supplied with the following information about each work: ¨  Title ¨  ID number (if any) ¨  Name of the artist ¨  Contact details for the artist ¨  Medium and support (e.g. oil on canvas) ¨  Dimensions (height, width and depth, with measurements taken at the

“largest” point for each dimension) ¨  Weight (in Kg) for any heavy 3-D works ¨  Wording of credit line on labels ¨  Valuation, as specified by the lending gallery/museum/owner

RESPONSIBILITIES

RESPONSIBILITIES

¨  When required, a detailed condition statement, which describes the condition and completeness of object, including any physical instabilities or blemishes, (eg cracking, loose parts, warping, stains etc). This condition statement is to be confirmed (and updated if necessary) before and after transportation from India to final destination, and again before and after the return journey to India.

¨  When required, photographs, (check if there is a preferred format e.g. 5” x 7” which may be required for export licence purposes) (Normally the lender deals with the export permits/licences, however, if agreed with the Museum/Art Gallery /Organiser, UAPL may have to facilitate and assist the lenders for such export licence documentation).

RESPONSIBILITIES

¨  Any special packing or handling requirements. Any display recommendations

¨  Any environmental recommendations ¨  Additional descriptive and historical information, when specifically

required. ¨  The location from which the work is to be collected/delivered and any

restrictions on collection/delivery times. ¨  The current location of each work loan (e.g. when in transit, storage

etc.). ¨  Up to date information in the event of any threat to the security of the

works. ¨  Up to date information in the event of any threat to the well-being of

the objects, including the environment and condition of the objects.

Temporary Export by Private Lender/Gallery

¨  Temporary export clearance are valid for a period of 6 Months.

¨  The following documents are required from each lender

n  Pro-forma Invoice of non commercial value n  Packing list

n  Invitation letter from Host Museum/Gallery

n  Copy of Import-Export Code Certificate (IEC). n  Certificate from the bank stating that no foreign exchange is involved.

n  Photographs of the works for Identification n  Letter from lender to authorize fine art agent to arrange temporary export

formalities.

¨  If some of the works are sold and not returning back, the lender must show the inward foreign remittance from the sale into his bank account in India.

Temporary Import

¨  Temporary Import is granted for a period of 6 months ¨  The following documents are required:

n  Pro-forma Invoice of non commercial Value n  Packing List n  Import-Export Code certificate of the Importer n  Re-export Bond & Bank Guarantee for the total amount of the

value plus the Customs duties (approx 152% of the value), undertaking works will be re-exported within 6 month of date of temporary import.

n  For Private Museums/Galleries, approval by ITPO or any govt. agency for setting up exhibition and approval for temp. import.

n  Photographs of the works for Identification

Permanent Export by Private Seller

¨  The sender must provide the following Customs documents

n Commercial invoice n Packing list n  Import-Export Code Certificate (IEC)

¨  The sender should be registered to import-export out of India. (Note: most artists are not registered and work through galleries.)

¨  The sender should be the beneficiary in the inward remittance made against the invoice

Problems faced in India ¨  Poor and inadequate facilities at airports/ports for receiving, handling &

storage of art works ¨  Limited Climate controlled facilities for perishables. Limited storage area

for High Value Cargo. ¨  Very basic equipment for cargo handling. Fork lifts available, but operators

not trained to handle art works. ¨  Large crates can, at times, be left in open and uncovered areas of the

cargo warehouse. ¨  No designated areas available for opening of crates and inspection of

works. ¨  Airport & Customs staff are not trained for handling of art works and treat

it like any other general cargo.

Proud to be UAPL

¨  India’s leading, oldest & largest specialist Fine Art Handling Company ¨  A decade of experience in handling Fine Arts. ¨  Multi-location domestic network, covering the entire Indian sub-continent.

Offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. ¨  Official fine art handling agent for Christie’s India, India Art Fair (formerly

known India Art Summit) since 2009, India Art Collective 2011, India Art Festival 2011.

¨  Offers the following services: n  Museum specification packing & crating n  Customized and secure handling & transportation n  Wall-to-wall insurance n  Climate controlled storage n  Courier assistance, Travel and Hotels etc. n  Tarmac Supervision (wherever permissible) n  Photography, framing, conservation, restoration etc, where required

FOCUS at UAPL Worldwide

¨  Integrity & Ethics – ours is one of the most respected names within the industry

¨  Providing each client with customized fine art packing and transport solutions

¨  Safety, Security and Care at every step ¨  Continuous focus on Improvement and Innovation ¨  Experienced and dedicated staff – a team of over 150

experienced and dedicated packing crews and art handling managers, focused on Customer Service and attention to detail

¨  Constant training programs at all levels and in all areas of service

Infra-structure ¨  Our own fleet of purpose built vehicles with

communication and monitoring equipment ¨  In-house Carpentry shop for crates/cases conforming to

Museum Specs. ¨  Secured storage at all our locations ¨  Air-conditioned and de-humidified storage to protect

high value products and works of art ¨  Specialized handling equipment ¨  High speed broadband connectivity and computer

network linkage between all our offices

Some of Our Prestigious Clients

¨  Christie’s, India ¨  Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi ¨  Grosvenor Gallery, London ¨  1 x 1 Art Gallery, Dubai ¨  Gallery Nature Morte, New Delhi ¨  Planet Saffron, New Delhi & Mumbai. ¨  Aicon Gallery, New Delhi & New York ¨  Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi ¨  Gallery Threshold, New Delhi ¨  Rahul & Art, New Delhi

Some Major Art Events Handled by UAPL

“India Art Fair (Formerly Known as India Art Summit)”

As Official Art Handling Agent, New Delhi, India 2009 to 2012

“Yoko Ono Show” As official Art handling Agent, New Delhi, India 2012

“India Art Festival” As Official Art handling Agent, Nehru Centre, Mumbai, India 2011

“India Art Collective – An online Art Fair”

As Official Art Handling Agent, India, 2011

Some Major Art Events Handled by UAPL

“IGNCA - Krishna Reddy Show” Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts” New Delhi, 2011-12

“Christie’s March Auction”

Christie’s Auction House, New York, U.S.A 2012

“An Enduring Legacy” Galerie Neumeister, Munich & Embassy of India, Berlin, Germany 2011