I’ve been to many Museums in my life. Obviously I have noticed the cases before but normally I am focused on what’s inside them. A recent tour of the Bloch Building with the Museum’s manager of fabrications shed new light on how important those cases are to the safety and presentation of the art.
The first and most important thing I learned is that when dealing with fragile and priceless works of art, display cases must be of the highest quality. The challenge is to create cases that protect the art and allow easy access for conservation while blending with the aesthetic of the gallery.
To meet that challenge, a fusion of traditional, state-of-the-art and specialty materials have been forged together to bring the Museum’s exhibition casework to a level never before enjoyed.
So when you enter the new Bloch Building next summer or wander through some of the existing galleries in the Nelson-Atkins Building, take a moment to notice the cases and realize all the thought, skill and innovation that goes into them. Then enjoy the beautiful works of art!