On Display

Architecture

When we flip through the real estate pages, we almost get a lesson in architecture. And whether your taste leans toward a Georgian Colonial, Greek Revival, Shingle-style or mid-century modern home, it’s important to understand the features that make up a particular architectural style.

“The Modernist House,” a new book due out in this month from Phaidon Press offers a detailed history of the Modernist Movement, a period that is not only important in its own right but also has paved the way for today’s modern homes. The book, along with the exciting upcoming architectural exhibits, helps us to explore the roots of architecture, as well as get a glimpse of what we may see in the future.

Understanding styles and structural
techniques makes the visual landscape
much more interesting.

If you’re a collector of architectural renderings, photographs or blueprints, you’ll want to make sure that your pieces are protected both visually as well as financially. Our experts offer their savvy suggestions.

rendering — use uV-coated conservation glass. Or for a more premium glass, use museum glass, which has a further coating to prevent reflections.

Protect Your Investment

Select the right framing technique umberto Calabro, who holds a master in Fine Arts from nyC’s Hunter College and is the chief designer at Framing at Depot Place in Scarsdale, provides his advice.  the most important thing for a drawing is that anything it touches should be non-acidic. Calabro recommends using 8-ply museum board (rather than 4-ply). “A stiffer board gives a deeper bevel and a more prestigious look.”  When you glaze paper — be it a blueprint, photograph, or

Provide the proper environment

For a piece of significant value, seek the advice of a conservator. A conservator is a trained professional who works physically to save artwork from the adverse effects of time, pollution and natural disasters and will be able to advise you on creating an environment that maximizes protection. to find a conservator in your area, visit conservation-us.org.

We turned to conservator rachael Perkins Arenstein, a partner at A.M. Art Conservation, LLC in Westchester,

tells us how best to keep your special pieces safe from fading and deteriorating.  Limit the amount and intensity of light in your space: Works on paper are highly sensitive to light damage (from both the ultraviolet and visible spectrum). In addition to fading or color change, light exposure can cause embrittlement and ultimately breakdown of the paper substrate.  turn off the lights and draw shades whenever possible. Although uV glazing or museum glass on framed pieces offer excellent protection against damaging ultraviolet rays, light damage from the visible spectrum is a function of light intensity times the length of exposure.

Have the right insurance

Katja Zigerlig, assistant vice

president, Fine Art, Wine & Jewelry Insurance for Private Client Group, a division of AIu Holdings (877.333.9847), offers advice on making sure that your artwork is properly protected through insurance.  A collector should have a specific art insurance policy, as a homeowner’s policy does not offer appropriate coverage. A policy should offer catastrophic protection, world wide, transit and newly acquired coverage, allowing collectors to focus on their passion: collecting, not worrying about appropriate protection.  Whether the value of your piece has gone up or down, it’s crucial to track the value, locate appraisers, maintain inventory, and confirm the amount of insurance coverage needed to adequately protect a collection.