Art Collectors And Cold Storage | Strange Combination Or Preserving The Future?
Sometimes the art world appears bizarre, especially when you think of pieces by famous artists. Storing art is no different. While the average person would assume that most of a museum's collection is on view for the public to see, in reality only a portion is. In fact, the Louvre only displays eight percent of its collection. The rest is in storage. This discrepancy between perception and reality is due to a desire to preserve the artwork for future generations by not exposing it to the environment and a simple lack of space.
Museums and collectors always take a proactive approach to preserving their collections. One of the ways to ensure their priceless pieces last for generations is by using cold storage facilities. Cold storage is not a new phenomenon and is utilized worldwide by various industries, from grocers to pharmaceutical manufacturers. Here's a closer look at the benefits of keeping art collections in a cold storage warehouse.
What Is Cold Storage?
A cold storage warehouse is a climate-controlled storage setting that aims to minimize environmental factors that could damage sensitive items. It's like putting food in the refrigerator. Only instead of food, it's art. The ideal climate for most art is 40 percent humidity and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. However, some art requires even colder temps. Color photographs, for example, need to be stored at a chilly 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Are the Benefits of Cold Storage for Art Collectors?
There are numerous benefits to keeping artwork in cold storage, including:
- Environmental factors. When you eliminate environmental factors like grease, smoke, temperature, and humidity, the artwork is protected from aging and the threat of deterioration. In addition, extreme weather changes like heat waves can cause irreversible damage to artwork, so cultural institutions use cold storage to protect their artwork from such events.
- Consistency. Cold storage allows for consistent maintenance of specific environmental conditions, making it a more reliable option than traditional storage. Every piece of artwork's condition is unique, and by using cold storage facilities, collectors can ensure that each piece remains in optimal condition.
- Climate change. Unfortunately, climate change is becoming a major factor in preserving artwork for future generations. Without a proper storage solution, the artwork is at risk of permanent damage or even destruction. Cold storage is the preferred method for securing items of cultural and historical significance.
Art collectors understand the benefits of cold storage and providing a climate-controlled space to store valuable artwork. Cultural heritage is essential to society, and safeguarding it through the use of cold storage is an ideal way to ensure longevity. Therefore, while art collectors and cold storage make for a strange combination, it is a reasonable and practical solution for preserving the future.
Reach out to a cold storage warehouse to learn more.