AboutSara Tro Expertise I am a professional custom picture framer and designer. I have experience in all areas of
picture framing, and own my own custom framing shop. I can answer questions relating
to the design of a piece, the preservation of the artwork, color theory, photograph
restoration, decor, art placement, room balancing and installation questions.
Experience I have owned my own retail custom frame shop for 5 years, and managed a high-end shop before that for 5.5 years. I worked for a professional restorer and archivist for 8 months prior to the management position. I am also a fine artist myself, with a BFA in Photography and Printmaking, and have been framing my own work for years and years.
Education/Credentials BFA Fine Arts, NYSCC at Alfred University, NY
Expert: Sara Tro Date: 2/24/2008 Subject: hanging art for theater performance
Question Sara, I have a challenge on my hands! I am directing a theater production which includes the artwork of 500 students as part of the set. We have built many 8 foot by 6 foot frames, and hope to hang the artwork in these, thus creating walls of art. The challenging part is that we would like the art to appear as though it is floating in the frames, and not touching the edges. We have strung monofilament line (fishing line) on the frames, but we are finding that it sags under the weight of the student work. The student work is all construction paper and paint. Any thoughts on how we can create the illusion of the art floating in the frames without it sagging? Thanks!
Answer Wow, Kay, what a cool project! i love your idea about making the "walls" out of the artwork, and the floating is a great look too.. How cool!
Well, my first instinct would also be heavy duty fishing line, but that material is a nightmare because of the stretching, as it sounds like you've discovered! I know they make different weights of line, but i think it'll still stretch.
So, if you can't use fishing line, maybe you could use strips of black velcro? If the background of the stage behind the walls will be black, maybe the velcro would just blend in? You could get the long strips of the male and female sides of velcro, and then you can staple long strips from the top of the frame to the bottom and side to side, then stick the opposite velcro side to the backs of the artwork. You could put the strips at the side edges of the art if you want them to lay flat like they're on a wall, and make a simple grid to stick them to. You can staple the velcro to the frames and to the art to enhance the sticky adhesive. I also think the texture of the velcro will keep the strips from being seen, as they'll absorb some of the light instead of reflecting it, so maybe make sure the fuzzy side is facing the audience? then, the art can just have cut strips on the back that end at the paper edge, so you won't see that at all.? Hope that makes sense.. you sound like a creative person, so maybe we speak the same language :)
Hmmm.. trying to think of another idea.. You could use framing wire and paint it black? I think if you got some plastic coated framing wire, you could sand it a little and paint it, make the grid, then you could tape or sew or staple some hooks to the backs of the artwork? you could even staple the art to the wire.
i like the velcro option better.. but if you don't think it'll suit your needs, you could try the wire option and just replace the fishing line with wire, and then paint it once it's installed so the paint doesn't rub off. Framing wire will sag a little too, if it's not pulled taught, so be sure to pull and tug on the wire before you anchor it.
I really would LOVE to hear about how this set turns out for you! If you have other questions or ideas, please don't hesitate to write again!
best of luck!
Break a leg!
Sara
