How best to hang an irregular piece of art on the wall?

October 29, 2010 3:20 PM

What is the best way to hang a (somewhat irregular) piece of art in a building at my school?

I'm a college student who was just given permission to hang a piece of art in the lounge area of our department building. The complication is that the piece is somewhat oddly shaped and made with barbed wire (so if it falls on someone, it might be a problem). Also, I don't know anything about hanging art.

The dimensions are 2ft by 3ft. I would guess it ways 8-10 pounds, but I don't own a scale. Here is a view from the front. The piece is also warped, which is caused by having pulled the barbed wire taunt and then stapling it in place on each end. Top and side pictures to show the curve.

The wall I'll be hanging it on is our department grad lounge. Here is a picture of the wall. I have no idea what it's made of, but I knocked on it, and it feels sturdy.

I'm supposed to set up a meeting with the building/mainetannce people to hang it up, and I'm wondering what would be the best way to do that. I'm thinking maybe attach some sort of wire to the back of it and then put a hook in the wall, but what kind of wire, and how should I attach it to the back? Any other ideas? I probably can't use the staple gun to attach the hanging wire that I used on the barbed wire because the staples go all the way through the wood board. Thanks for the help.

posted by andoatnp to media & arts (4 answers total)

I'm supposed to set up a meeting with the building/mainetannce people to hang it up, and I'm wondering what would be the best way to do that.

Meet with the maintenance people. They will either do it all for you, or tell you what you need.
posted by Monday at 3:55 PM on October 29, 2010

OP, if I were you I would seriously reconsider hanging that piece. If that thing falls on someone, anyone in any way responsible for it will be sued. Period. Did the department run it up to the administration? This is the kind of thing the school's general counsel might put the kibosh on.

It just seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

This is not legal advice and I am not your lawyer; you should consult a lawyer in your jurisdiction to assess your potential liability for injuries caused by this work.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 4:05 PM on October 29, 2010 [1 favorite]

Admiral Haddock is overreacting; art gets hung on campuses all the time, and it's always a bit dangerous -- like life.

Monday is right; I'm in charge of the art collection at my university and my procedure for hanging is a) call Physical Plant and ask them to hang the work, and b) give them the name of the department administrator so they can sort out the details. It might not work (all universities are different), but if it's something they generally do, it'll be completely straightforward.
posted by obliquicity at 6:23 PM on October 29, 2010

OP, if I were you I would seriously reconsider hanging that piece. If that thing falls on someone, anyone in any way responsible for it will be sued. Period. Did the department run it up to the administration? This is the kind of thing the school's general counsel might put the kibosh on.

How prescient. The person I got permission from this morning reconsidered and sent me an email this evening saying he didn't think the barbed wire was such a great idea and to bring in a different piece. Most of the rest of my art is paint on canvas, so putting any of it up on the wall shouldn't be a problem.
posted by andoatnp at 7:14 PM on October 29, 2010