Archival Mountmaking: Complex mounts Juhl Wojahn Assistant Collections Manager Denver Art Museum 100 W. 14 th Ave. Parkway Denver, CO

Materials : Archival cardboard (blueboard) Coroplast Volara Ethafoam Tyvek Cotton Stockinette 100% Cotton unbleached sheet Archival tissue Tools: Utility knife Hot glue gun Metal Ruler Bone folder Cloth measuring tape Archival Mountmaking

The drop side box mount Good for objects that are somewhat unstable and need more protection from light and dust. Object can be supported from multiple sides. Good for stabilizing medium to small objects.

Sides Tab Cut the dimensions needed along the black lines. Score the grey lines with a bone folder. The sides are then folded up and the tabs are secured on the outside using the hot glue gun. Tabs can also be secured with cotton twill to allow the side to be untied and lowered down.

side backside bottom front An alternative method of box construction uses less materials and is more efficient for large boxes. This method requires slightly more time to make. Since the box is not made of one single sheet the design is slightly more vulnerable if the glue should fail over time. The tabs at the bottom should be sewn to avoid this possiblity. tabs

The box pieces are cut along black lines and scored along grey lines, then assembled and glued together as shown. Tabs for this sort of box should be at least 2” wide to allow a large enough surface for good glue adhesion. The front of the box can be either glued or tied.

The object found on the shelf has several loose pieces. Mobile storage and gravity have not been kind. Figures and other elements of the piece that are wired to the base have toppled, endangering nearby objects.

All sides of the mount are made to drop away, allowing different points of support for the various figures. Holes for the ties are made with an awl when the box is folded together to ensure a good fit. Drop sides Holes for twill ties.

A support for the unstable figures is made, tested, and then glued into place.

The tree presents several difficulties. It is only attached to the base by two wires and is also top-heavy. In addition, a small bucket hangs from one branch by a chain. The restraining pad is made to firmly cradle the object, and thin museum board is used to protect the chain.

The pad is beveled to make sure it does not impact the object when the box side is folded into position.

When closed all loose elements are supported. The tree is tied to the side of the box to prevent it from falling into the figures below.

A box constructed to have only one side drop away allows other methods of padding and stabilization to be used.

This combination of a flat board mount and a drop side box allow the object to be held very securely while still allowing ease of removal.

Pads can also be made to be completely removable. This allows delicate objects to be held very securely once the box is closed.

Removable mount elements, ties, and any other securing device should be clearly labeled to avoid confusion.

The drop front box is made. The constructed box method is used to save materials.

The object is measured. Guides for the removable pads are glued in. Pads are made to split in half for easy removal of the object.

Pads are cut to conform around the base of the object. Pads should always be covered with tyvek, cotton sheet, or stockinette. Most polyethafoam products are too abrasive for safe contact with objects.

Upper pad guides are glued in place. Pads are cut to conform to object and restrain any unwanted motion. Once pads are in place a box lid is made and the drop front is tied off.

Platform or board mounts can also be challenging due to the required structure. Here the base gives stability and also helps prevent incidental contact with delicate elements of the object. The interior of the mount is padded with poly batting and lined with tyvek to reduce abrasion

Storage for heavy or delicate works (sometimes both) The following is a large cast bronze triptych surfaced with gold leaf. The pads have been covered with silicone release paper to reduce the chance of adhesion or abrasion of the gold leaf. Multiple handles were installed to allow greater leverage. The open design was chosen to minimize surface contact with the gold leaf.

Side pads were covered in tyvek. The sides of the storage frame were constructed of a layering of dimensional lumber and plywood to increase the strength of the frame.

The back was chosen for the removal point to allow access to the handles already cast into the piece. The removal of the back slats also lessened the chance of abrasion to the leaf while the slats were being installed.