Display cases for 3-D works?
Posted by Tyr on Mon, 2008-05-12 15:47
 Location: Orlando, FL
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I've read in the Art Show packet that Display cases are now recommended (because of theft issues) for 3-D works on tables. I have quite a few small sculptures that I would like to keep safe, and one larger one. Anyone have any ideas as to where I can get inexpensive dispay cases that won't break the bank? I've already checked all of the art/craft stores in my area (especially AC Moore and Michaels) and their cases are too awkward or too small for the sculptures. Thanks! |
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They've had that display case recommendation for 3-D artwork for several years. I see no mention of theft as a possibility in the packet. (nor have I heard any rumors) The "guarantee safety" phrasing means "we can't guarantee some idiot won't bump the table with his tail and potentially make an item fall off if it's right next to edge."
I've never used cases for any of my sculptures and never had any problem with them. I agented for someone a few years ago and they sent an uncased piece with an opening bid of $700. I think I've seen ONE case for a sculpture in the past 3 years. I've seen a couple feather paintings in cases, but not actual sculptures.
If you have very small stuff that is likely to blow away, THEN you might want a case. Or stuff that is too fragile to touch if it needs to be picked up for the voice auction. (and then I'd be leary of bringing it all. SOMEONE will jostle the table in the show accidentally. If it can't survive that, even a case won't help. It'll just rattle round the case)
Otherwise the cases seem like overkill in most cases. If it can't handle being picked up, how the heck is the buyer supposed to get it home in one piece? And anybody that walks off with something is in for a world of hurt. I think the entire art show staff and the Dorsai would take it VERY personally if anything walked off.
If you just need something to keep them from floating away in a breeze, try Freecycle and request plastic snapping food boxes. A lot of candy comes in small, plastic oxes with lids that work just fine for this sort of thing. I've seen ones ranging from a a few inches up to the size of a brick. Once you clean the labels off, its hard to tell them apart from the plastic boxes you'll find at craft stores.
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permalinkLocation: Philadelphia area, PA
I think it's safe to say that the art show staff, director, and attendant dorsai would be deeply offended, yes.
I think it's also pretty safe to say that they'd be pretty surprised. Even if furs were of a sort that routinely walk off with stuff that doesn't belong to them (i'm sure it happens sometimes, but i've never personally seen it), the art show takes some significant measures to make it very difficult. Most notably, they require visitors to leave all of their bags, sketchbooks, cameras, and cell phones (mainly in case of camera) at the bag check by the door, where a couple of friendly volunteers will tag them and watch over them for safe keeping. That, the folks watching the entrance itself, and the general cultural tone that makes stealing from artists *really* uncool, severely limits the scope of any fur's sticky claws.
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It is not that we have had any problems with theft.
We want to do everything we can to ensure that we never do have problems with theft.
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really? O.o Where have I been within the past years that I haven't read that in the packet? LOL wow, learn something new everyday.
I've had 3-d stuff in there before and this year I saw it and thought "wow, that's odd. I've never known Anthrocon having problems with theft at ALL before." Otakon, maybe, but Furries are really good about not stealing stuff (yay, Kudos!).
I think I'll forego the cases this year again :} Thanks for the input!
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No, I do recommend a display case. Why tempt fate?
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I'm kind of baffled by this recommendation that 3-D items be boxed to avoid theft. DAMAGE, yes, but theft of 3-D art seems LESS likely than 2-D items. Very small items, there's a slight chance they could walk off... but so could a similarly sized flat item. Anything over about 6" in 3-D is going to be difficult to conceal.
If the boxing is to prevent theft, there should be a similar warning that all flat art should not just be matted, but backed and sealed in a gallery bag AND tied to the pegboard. The flat art is a lot easier to walk off with. A determined thief need only slide a flat piece under a shirt, or for a larger piece, pop it free of the mat and roll it.
The 3-D is by and large, lumpy, heavy, and stiff. You won't be stuffing a foot tall sculpture in your shirt without someone noticing.
And unless you guys have changed the layout of the show this year, the general show 3-D tables are constantly in line of sight of the art show staff and/or the Dorsai. 90% of the flat art, someone can be alone with for a few second to minutes because of the panel walls.
It seems that a determined thief has more opportunity to steal 2-D art and its easier to conceal.
If the staff is genuinely concerned about theft, there should be a statement made to the 2-D artists about what they can do to prevent theft NOT just to the 3-D artists!
I don't want to seem totally cavalier about the issue, but Anthrocon generally has tighter security than most small town art galleries. It's not the like the local place has dedicated security staff standing at the door.
It's also a question of fairness. If theft really IS a concern, why are the 3-D artists being treated differently and given recommendations to prevent theft that the 2-D artist aren't getting? It's like the staff knows its going to rain, but only tell 5% of the attendees to bring an umbrella! And if its not a serious concern, then the 3-D artists are being unfairly scared.
(changing the phrasing of point #4 on areas of the show to clarify "safety of the item" means safe from damage would avoid this in future years)
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We make neither rules nor recommendations based on whimsy. There are reasons behind everything we do, and behind every recommendation we make.
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permalinkLocation: Syracuse, NY
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That recommendation has been there from the very beginning, appearing in Tygger's original rules from 1997. The phrasing was "If you do not have a case, we cannot be held responsible for theft" which I kept when I reorganized the rules for 1998, but in 1999 I changed it to "safety of the item" to cover either theft or damage.
We take reasonable precautions to deter theft, such as bag check. Anyone caught stealing would face not only Kage's wrath and the likelihood of permanent banning, but possible criminal charges as well. This year the Art Show layout is changing, putting the 3-D tables in the middle of the room, in more direct view of the crew and everyone else. (The main reason for the change is to put the entrance on the opposite side, to improve traffic flow so people don't have to cut through Artist Alley to get to the Art Show.) Even so, each artist has the option of taking additional measures such as a display case, insurance, etc. if they wish to feel more secure. There aren't a lot of small 2-D pieces, so frankly it hadn't occurred to me that they should have special notice.
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For faster answers to any Art Show question, please e-mail art-2008 (at) anthrocon.org . I visit the discussion boards here only a couple of times a week.
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Criminal charges would not be likely, since there would not be enough left to prosecute.
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permalinkLocation: Philadelphia area, PA
You know, i hadn't thought about it until now, but given that the art show staff is headed up by a lion and has more than its share of large predators... *evilsmiles*
Suddenly the term "dead dog party" just took on a whole new meaning for me.
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They'd certainly be persona non grata at every single furry event. And getting escorted out of the con by security would be the worst perp walk EVER.
It would probably take about 10 minutes for that picture to be uploaded to all the furry boards, blogs, and websites. Since employers are increasingly googling job hunters names to see what they have been up to, that would sooooooo not be what you wanted them to find. (according to career builder, about 26% of employers now run an internet search on job seekers before hiring http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSeeker/careerbytes/CBArticle.aspx?articleID=573&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=c104bb9faca94e43b3261adb97484b10-264267384-W8-2&ns_siteid=ns_us_g_percent_employers_int_ Your furry hobbies won't keep you from being hired, but theft sure will. Not an employer in the world that will hire you)
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There was at least one very small flat piece that made it all the way to the art auction last year and went for over $300. it was playing card sized and was in nothing more substantial than a plastic sheet protector. You could have sneezed and lost it. If someone had put it down near any of the legion of fans in the place, it would have blown off.
I see a lot more furry artists doing ACEO, so I'd expect an uptick in number of small works in this and coming years.
For future years, perhaps the art guidelines should specify that anything (flat or 3D) that's less than 4" (10CM) on longest side needs a case or a mat. No sheet protectors, no going caseless with items that tiny. Things smaller than that aren't just in danger of walking off, they're in danger of blowing away in a stiff breeze! Casing them or insisting on a mat means they'd now be larger than pocket sized and should stay put if placed on a table by a fan.
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permalinkLocation: Ardmore, PA
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Indeed, seeing that the Dorsai Irregulars were founded due to a case of art theft.
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permalinkLocation: Hamburg, New York
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If you are looking for display cases, what might work for you and be lightweight and inexpensive would be the plastic display boxes that years back were used to house collector's variety of Beanie Babies.
Hoping that this helps!
“O tiger's heart wrapped in a woman's hide!”
....Shakespeare really knew what he was talking about sometimes....
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