Subject: importance of framing
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 1997 16:24:01 -0600 (CST)
From: Guna Magnuson <gmagnuso@genie.esu10.k12.ne.us>
Reply-To: commdisc@communitydisc.wst.esu3.k12.ne.us
To: Multiple recipients of <commdisc@communitydisc.wst.esu3.k12.ne.us>

My question/need is directed especially to Woody/Daryle. During my art time with 6th grade students last week we stumbled upon how important framing a work of art is. While students for the most part have enjoyed their art time, it wasn't until I framed a piece of work for a student with a cheap $2.00 frame from Ace Hardware (while the price was relatively inexpensive, the selection and quality of ready made inexpensive frames was really surprising) that the students eyes really lit up. One student commented immediately that the student whose work had been framed was a "Real" artisit. I hadn't spent any time matting the piece at all. In fact, it was just a small 4" by 6" watercolor. Their excitement was incredible.

This discovery has led me to spend some time with the students about how to choose colors for matting, how important it is to decide on size of a piece prior to production if you want to frame in a conventional frame, how expensive professional framing is, why some pieces don't need frames, how they should decide to "pare down" an artwork to fit a frame (will you be cutting off some of the principles of design -- pattern, balance, variety) etc.

Monday we will spend some time choosing mat/backgrounds for the students favorite art from their portfolio. We will discuss how to decide complementary or contrasting colors (this will also serve as an introduction to our Science unit on light), how to measure the mat uniformly on all sides, how many layers of mats are needed, etc.

Now, my question to Woody/Daryle is this .. is it possible for my students to communicate with the folks who work in the NMAA's framing department? I'm hoping that the students will come away with questions.

Thanks!!!

guna

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Subject: importance of framing -Reply
Date: Mon, 27 Jan 1997 12:06:44 -0500
From: Daryle Maciocha <SIWP06.NMAA.DARYLE@ic.si.edu>
Reply-To: commdisc@communitydisc.wst.esu3.k12.ne.us
To: Multiple recipients of <commdisc@communitydisc.wst.esu3.k12.ne.us>

Guna,

I called the Conservation lab this morning and talked to Fern Blockner about framing. She told me that the decision-making process when it comes to framing a piece is shared by the exhibition designer, the curator and the conservator. A meeting is held and works are assessed on an individual basis. Colors for mats are very limited as archival materials tend to be neutral in color. Frame selection is "eclectic" (Fern's word) as the style, date and context in which it is going to be seen are taken into consideration.

I passed your e-mail inquiry on to Fern who said she would reply as best she could. I'm sure she will provide much more detail than what I've given you here!

Let me know what else we can do!

Daryle