[re]Thinking Art Logistics

Art Switch virtual conference series is returning with its third edition on Thursday, April 29 from 4-7:30pm CET, creating conversations between cutting edge voices on environmental sustainability in the arts. In this specially curated session we are narrowing our perspective on Art Logistics, including Transportation, Packaging and Climate Control, with a uniquely future oriented lens envisioning scenarios and potential practices of the near and far future.

Topics include: How models of circular economy can find implementation inside art institutions and be adopted by artist studios; innovation in the design of biodegradable frames and packaging, what art shipping and transport might look like in 2041; how the plus/minus dilemma has altered sector-wide and site-specific action; and how relatively simple control adjustments can save substantial amounts of energy and carbon in museum and gallery HVAC systems. 

This conference is part of a virtual conference series [re]Framing the Arts: A Sustainable Shift organized in collaboration with the Amsterdam School for Heritage, Memory and Material Culture at the University of Amsterdam and Nyenrode Business University.

GET FULL PROGRAM HERE

Speakers

Kim Kraczon is the Director of Waste and Materials at Ki Culture and Co-lead of the Gallery Climate Coalition’s Materials Subcommittee.

Since 2013, Kraczon has worked as the resident conservator at Studio Olafur Eliasson in Berlin, where she has been developing sustainable approaches and strategies for production and packing materials.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in the Conservation of Modern Materials and Technical Cultural Heritage from the University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft) Berlin. Prior to relocating to Berlin in 2008, she studied history at Oberlin College and University of Massachusetts, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in History. Her previous professional experience includes working with the Deutsches Historisches Museum in Berlin and independent conservators in Germany.

Kim Kraczon, Studio Olafur Eliasson

ROKBOX was founded by Andrew Stramentov in 2015. It's aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of the art shipping industry whilst also improving artwork protection.Working with brainiac product developers (the guy who designed the DVD case no less), t…

ROKBOX was founded by Andrew Stramentov in 2015. It's aim is to reduce the carbon footprint of the art shipping industry whilst also improving artwork protection.

Working with brainiac product developers (the guy who designed the DVD case no less), the ROKBOX is made entirely out of recycled or recyclable materials. The box is reusable and multi-packable and engineered to be much lighter than a wooden crate. Therefore it is safer and cheaper to transport and provides a lower carbon footprint. 

The ROKBOX is vigorously benchmarked tested against the crate and is proven to protect artwork much more effectively against vibration, toppling, shock drops, water, humidity and … the dreaded forklift puncture. 

It has subsequently ended up winning the Red Dot award for Product Design. Winning the best of the best award (with Apple, Bosch, Porsche) and been acquired by a number of museums, galleries, auction houses and collectors around the world.

Andrew Stramentov, Rokbox

Melissa Lewis is a paper conservator of modern and contemporary art, particularly interested in finding innovative solutions to difficult problems involving cleaning and other aspects of an artwork’s conservation, restoration and overall cultural preservation. She is also engaged in finding green, sustainable and safe solutions for the art world.

Melissa has given two webinars with ICON Book and Paper Group and at the Arts Council in collaboration with Julie’s Bicycle about the Circular Economy in museums and conservation. More recently, she has been part of an educational project for the Environmental Sustainability Network.

Melissa works for Rachel Barker Associates (RBA), one of Europe’s foremost conservation and collection care companies. Private practice has not prevented her from teaching cleaning paper using, gels, emulsions and green solvents, at, inter alia: museum studios, auction houses, universities as well as at the studios of individual conservators.

Having worked at the Victoria & Albert Museum, with stints at the Natural History Museum, she now helps to provide sustainable, state-of-the-art conservation and collection care solutions in the art world: museums, institutions, Sotheby’s, Christie’s, private London galleries and significant collections in the UK, Europe, Middle East and United States.

Melissa Lewis, Rachel Barker Associates

Sam Anderson’s architectural firm is a national leader in the design of collection storage and art conservation facilities, bringing design creativity and technical expertise to clients including the Harvard Art Museums, the Penn Museum, the Huntington Library, Oberlin College, the Dallas Museum of Art, the Guggenheim, MoMA, Colonial Williamsburg, SFMOMA, the Gardner Museum, Yale University, the American Antiquarian Society, and the Barnes Foundation.

A LEED accredited professional, Mr. Anderson has a lifelong commitment to approaching elegance through the efficient use of space, materials and energy. Several of his projects have received awards for design excellence and sustainable design. An Adjunct Professor at The Cooper Union for 20 years, he teaches design studio and building technology. Mr. Anderson is a graduate of Harvard College (BA) and The Cooper Union (B Arch). He established his firm in 1991, following eight years of practice at Gwathmey Siegel & Assocs. and Smith-Miller+Hawkinson Architects.

Sam Anderson, Samuel Anderson Architects

Sarah Sutton is Principal of Sustainable Museums, a consultancy for cultural organizations pursuing climate action. The consultancy manages the Frankenthaler Climate Initiative, a grant program supporting energy efficiency and clean energy projects at visual arts institutions; it is funded by the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation. Sarah is the Cultural Sector Lead for America is All In, the US subnational actors supporting the Paris Agreement, and on the Climate Task Force for the American Psychological Association. She is a co-author of two editions of The Green Museum (as Sarah Brophy) and author of Environmental Sustainability at Historic Sites & Museums.

Sarah Sutton, Sustainable Museums

Imogen Prus is in the Strategic Partnerships team at Convelio. Convelio are a tech enabled freight forwarder who are reimagining the world of art logistics. Imogen’s work is centred around seeking the right partners to support them on their mission …

Imogen Prus is in the Strategic Partnerships team at Convelio. Convelio are a tech enabled freight forwarder who are reimagining the world of art logistics. Imogen’s work is centred around seeking the right partners to support them on their mission to modernise the industry. Prior to this Imogen was at Artsy growing the Gallery Partnership program across EMEA.

Imogen Prus, Convelio

Michael Wang (b. 1981) lives and works in New York. His practice uses systems that operate at a global scale as media for art, addressing climate change, species distribution, resource allocation and the global economy.

His works include Carbon Copies, an exhibition linking the production of artworks to the release of greenhouse gases; Extinct in the Wild, a project that engages species that no longer exist in nature but persist under human care; World Trade, a series tracing the trade in steel from the World Trade Center following the attacks of September 11, 2001; and Rivals, a series that connects the readymade to systems of corporate finance.

Michael Wang, Artist

Bernadine is a well published and prominent thought leader in the art and tech community.

She co-founded Vastari in 2012 and has been shaping Vastari's strategic direction, investor portfolio and industry advocacy ever since.

Coming from the commercial art world, Bernadine holds a track record of successful entrepreneurial activities. Amongst others, Bernadine helped establish Trinity House, an Impressionist and Modern gallery in London in 2010.

In 2018 she was selected for Apollo Magazine's 40 under 40 Europe, and Bernadine and co-founder Francesca Polo were shortlisted for the Natwest Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2017.

Bernadine Bröcker Wieder, Vastari

Jason Bailer Losh is the Director of Business Development for Dietl International. In his 15 years of service with the company he previously served as the Director of Operations for the West Coast, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.&n…

Jason Bailer Losh is the Director of Business Development for Dietl International. In his 15 years of service with the company he previously served as the Director of Operations for the West Coast, including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.  As part of his current role, Jason leads Dietl’s sustainability program, and is working to lower Diet’s carbon footprint as well as assisting their clients in becoming more sustainable.  Dietl is the first art shipping provider to offer carbon offsetting for shipments and couriers, and are committed to developing new methods of shipping that align with our goal to proactively avoid carbon polluting activities and reduce our overall carbon footprint.

Jason Bailer Losh, Dietl International

Keith Esarey is a Principal with McClure Engineering and has been responsible for project management and mechanical design for critical environment systems where the control of temperature and humidity is an essential operational component. He has a…

Keith Esarey is a Principal with McClure Engineering and has been responsible for project management and mechanical design for critical environment systems where the control of temperature and humidity is an essential operational component. He has applied this expertise in industries ranging from museums and cultural institutions, performing arts, healthcare, and natatoriums. In addition to the design of new systems, Mr. Esarey has been involved in the analysis, remediation and commissioning of existing systems. 

Keith works with a number of cultural institutions and critical environment facilities, whether that be in improving long-term system analysis, design & planning, and budget development or in assessing specific temperature control concerns & issues and providing solutions to clients that will address those issues & improve their existing space conditions. Mr. Esarey has many years of experience working with historically significant buildings, as well as structures that are designed and built with the sole purpose of being able to preserve the items within it. A few cultural facilities to note and have added to Keith’s wide array of project experience are the Saint Louis Art Museum, Penn Museum of Archeology and Anthropology, Allen Memorial Art Museum and Missouri History Museum. 

Keith Esarey, McClure Engineering-St. Louis

Stephanie Shapiro is a change innovator providing collaborative strategy and direction to the cultural sector to advance climate action. Stephanie mobilizes the cultural sector’s individuals, associations, and organizations to play an active role in the climate change solution as trusted communicators and educators by facilitating conversations and leveraging connections across sectors.

Stephanie served as AAM’s Environment and Climate Professional Network’s chair for three years in addition to holding various other roles including chair of the Partnerships Committee. She is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and holds a M.A. in Museum Studies from the George Washington University and B.A. in Art History from Dickinson College.

Stephanie Shapiro, Sustainable Museums

 

Moderator

The conference is organized with the support of Samuel Anderson Architects and Amsterdam School for Heritage, Memory and Material Culture.

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