Tanya - This is an interesting question that I had never considered.
However, it seems that metal cabinetry is a better choice. Plex or acrylic
has a static charge that attracts dust and residues and is difficult to
clean as a storage cabinet. All objects would need to be removed for
cleaning if there is an accumulation of dust where as metal stays fairly
free of dirt. On another note, plex scratches easily and painting canvases,
frames and hardware do a lot of damage to storage units. Light too is a
preservation issue to think about. Any object should be kept as much as
possible out of UV rays and heat and plex is not conducive to dark storage
even if it is colored. While metal seems to hold the cold and can be kept
dark. Most of our exhibit casing and glazing for frames has a filter for
such rays. As for the recordings, I would guess that heat is your greatest
threat as well as scratching...again I would opt for other materials for
storage units. However, maybe someone else knows more about these particular
items.
Kim Feinknopf-Dorrian
Ohio Historical Society
History Collections Department
1982 Velma Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43211
(614) 298-2052
[log in to unmask]




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tanya Elder [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 2:11 PM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Plexiglas Cabinets for Artwork Storage
>
> Hello,
>
> I am not an official member of this list, but I have a question concerning
> custom-built art storage containers and cabinets. I am the Archivist of
> The
> Riverside Church in New York City. We have a collection of paintings on
> canvass, and we are looking to create a storage environment for them. The
> paintings themselves range in varying sizes. We have contacted our
> shelving
> supplier, who is drawing up plans to create a art storage cabinet with
> rolling interior shelves. He suggested custom-building a plexiglas
> construction as opposed to a steel cabinet. Plexiglas is also cheaper. I
> know that museums use plexiglas for displays, but are there any concerns
> over the use of plexiglas for long-term art storage? Is there anything
> specific I should consider in terms of storing paintings?
>
> As a bonus question, our shelving supplier is also drawing up plans to
> create a cabinet of the same material types for a collection of 16",
> glass-based and vinyl recordings from the 1930s - 1950s. Any ideas on how
> plexiglas and the vinyl coating would get along after, say, 20 years?
>
> Any help you can provide will be appreciated.
> Thanks,
> Tanya Elder
> Archivist
> The Riverside Church
> 490 Riverside Drive
> New York, NY 10027
> (212) 870-6815
>
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