Recently, we sent Abstract by Clara Ugbodaga-Ngu and Fantasy and Masks by Uche Okeke off on a courier trip! We loaned the artworks to Kunstsammlung K20 in Düsseldorf for the exhibition “museum global. Microhistories of an Ex-centric Modernism”. The exhibition interrogated the Eurocentric version of art history by exploring the expressions of modernism in non-European countries. The works by Ugbodaga-Ngu and Okeke were displayed within the context of 1960s Nigeria, the Zaria Art Society and the ‘natural synthesis’ movement.
But how did the artworks get to Düsseldorf? Museums and galleries often send a courier with their objects to oversee how they are packed, handled, and their condition is checked. A courier has designated responsibility on behalf of the lending institution and as such works with the borrowing institution to ensure that the object is safe. In this instance, Research and Cultural Collections’ Jenny Lance and Nadia Awal acted as the couriers for the outgoing and incoming trips respectively. Take a look at our couriers’ photo album to learn more about the process and what Jenny and Nadia got up to in Düsseldorf.
Clara Ugbodaga-Ngu
Abstract, c. 1960, oil on hardboard, Research and Cultural Collections
Uche Okeke
Fantasy and Masks, c. 1960, oil on canvas, Research and Cultural Collections
WORKS OUTGOING
A lot of preparatory work takes place before the initial courier trip. Jenny carried out condition checks on each art work so that we had an accurate record of its condition on file, thus ensuring that any changes could be quickly identified.
Up, up and away!
Arriving at Kunstsammlung K20
A gorgeous setting for an art gallery!
A chance to explore the gallery where the artworks would be displayed
Carefully taking the artworks out of their crate.
Jenny took some close-up photos of the works. This helped her to check for any changes to the artworks (even the smallest dust particle is recorded on the condition check report for future reference).
All hands on deck! The team at K20 work together to install Abstract. They use lasers (can you spot the red lines?!) to ensure that the work is hung straight. They also took the time to look at the work in situ before fixing it to the wall to ensure it as the curator intended.
Jenny and the K20 team spent time discussing how to display Fantasy and Masks. It was decided that a special plinth would be constructed so that visitors could see the front and reverse of the canvas!
Plinth construction in progress!
Almost there…
Both artworks safely in position (and looking great!)
We hope you agree – the plinth was a great choice! A fantastic opportunity to display the front and back of the canvas!
Jenny had the chance to explore the gallery during the installation. A wonderful opportunity to see artworks by internationally renowned artists, from museums and galleries all over the world!
As a courier, you often get the chance to explore the town or city you are in. It’s a brilliant opportunity to explore other museums and galleries; Jenny visited K21 (and loved the Tomás Saraceno Tomás Saraceno exhibit. Perhaps not so loved by those with vertigo!)
Stunning architecture of Düsseldorf – a great place to wander!
It would be rude to go to Düsseldorf and not have a Bratwurst!
WORKS COMING HOME
Nadia arrived in the night before the exhibition deinstallation. She would definitely recommend exploring Düsseldorf at night (the Königsallee Canal is stunning when lit-up!)
It’s always sad to see an exhibition come down (though exciting to think of what’s coming next)
Couriering gives you the opportunity to develop relationships with other galleries, and to share research. The exhibition’s curator, Isabelle Malz, gave Nadia these books to add to RCC’s reference library.
Time to take down the artworks!
Nadia performed close-up checks to ensure the artworks were in the same stable condition they arrived in.
It’s not just a case of looking at the canvas – every inch of the work is checked, including its frame (we are pleased to confirm that no artworks were harmed during this courier trip!)
When artworks are transported, mirror plates are often turned around so that they are not sticking out, and as such this reduces the risk of accidental damage.
Carefully packing Fantasy and Masks (with its bespoke plinth!) in Tyvek – a material which is used to protect museum objects during transit. It’s inert – which means it won’t produce gases and consequently it won’t damage the object.
Safely in their crate ready for their return to the UK.
Nadia spent some time exploring K20 once the deinstall was complete, and absolutely loved the Paul Klee exhibition!
Nadia also loved the Ed Atkins exhibition at K21. It was really thought-provoking…
…especially because Atkins interrogated the concept of museum authority!
High on Nadia’s Dusseldorf recommendations list – the local market….
…for the love of cheese, if nothing else!
With only a few hours left in Dusseldorf, Nadia ventured to other local museums, such as the Stadtmuseum…
I’ve never attempted to write a book review and I’m not sure if that is what this is but I promised you I would let you know what I thought of Emily Chappell’s debut book, What Goes Around, so here goes. Great book, average carpet I have to say that I approached the book with high expectations having read a couple of reviews and heard Emily being interviewed on Woman’s hour on Radio 4 and also on…
Like most other situations in life I approached London from a dense pother of ignorance. What was I doing standing on a Piccadilly line train heading into central London with a 70 litre bag on my back? There was no plan but I did have many formal clothing options that must have been for the meetings I’d be soon having for quite serious and seriously paid employment. That bag, two nights booked at a hostel on Great Portland Street and optimism was my entire preperation.
8 years later I’m leaving. I’m not sure where my ignorance most importantly lies in the plans we have for the next months and years but, I’ve learned from coming here going in dumb enhances the experience.
One typically learns a large city in pockets. You have your point of entry, bus or train station, airplane terminal, or maybe that first view from the motorway of the actual city after endless outskirts. There’s the place where you first fall asleep, then a workplace or a college where you begin to recognise and build up your own pocket of familiarity. The pocket view is an illusion broken here when you choose to walk ten minutes down the road instead of taking the tube.
In the last two years riding around on my bike delivering parcels I’ve created a larger pocket but it's impossible not to always have a few shadows of knowledge. I feel a part of the city in the way I imagine cabbies or dustmen feel connected to it. Sometimes I instinctively swerve around, without registering, a pothole on a street I haven’t been down for weeks.
But being a courier is only one incomplete perspective. That nobody knows this city entirely is reassuring. One can’t penetrate all of it and some mystery remains. Maybe there’s a little quiet square around a corner you’ve never been to. Maybe there’s a pub down a quiet suburban dead-end lane with thick old carpet and a tremendously successful darts team or a tiny music venue down some dark stairway that is only open on Wednedays after 11. Maybe there’s a history unknown to you of a place, a street or building that has unintended continuity for thousands of years, like Clerkenwell Green or St. Giles. There is all of this. London is all sorts of things that are massive, deluded generalities but for me it’s mostly enduring. Enduringly provoking and invigorating, enduring simply in it’s physical presence. But then its buildings, streets and people are transient too. It’s hard to say this city is anything at all other than still here.
When I think of the London I’ve left it will be of the arterial rush of workers in and out of the city, of all the people that I’ve bumped into here that I’ll never forget or stop being grateful to. But mostly it will be of the endless ride I can do in my mind on my bike, generated from thousands of hours of riding in traffic in every possible variation of weather, across the bridges and into loading bays, offices and fancy apartment buildings. For the rest of my life I will think of my skinny legs pumping pedals underneath me, the city rushing past and a grin on my face. And I'll think of meeting Jorja. What a frigging babe.
I got back on my bike, with the knowledge of all today including my controller, and i finally ventured out of the SW1 post codes. I finally got to feel the sleet on my face and the occasions of snow. Shiver if you want to but i have watched the couriers from my comfy embassies battling all weathers and i was jealous. 146 even said "this is hardcore!" with a huge grin and pure enjoyment on his face when the snow was falling thick and hard in London City.
I ripped a huge hole from arse to crotch in my pants and didn't care at all that when i bent over my handlebars my black and probably dirty, and definitely see through due to overwear, thermals i didn't have a care in the world.
If you want something Couriering London has thousand of couriers companies to choose from. How to you chose? Let us answer a few question so you can make an informed decision.
How quick do you want your consignment delivering?
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where is your package going
The first question is easy if it has to be their as soon as possible you need a same day courier. The second question depends on how quickly you want it delivering and how big the consignment is. Generally the quickest it gets there the more it costs.
When you want something couriering Leeds has plenty to choose from!
How do you sort the good couriers from the bad couriers? If the courier has a website that’s a good start and if they have nationally recognised accreditation that’s even better. But if they have a list of testimonials from clients that’s the gold standard. When it comes to Couriering Leeds has the Best.
Unfortunately when it comes to couriering Leeds companies need to be very careful recently a national courier went bust after clients had paid up front for them to delivery for them.
