Issue 1 2009 > UK Art in Motion
UK Art in Motion
Art in Motion is a section on the Crown Fine Arts website, crownfineart.com, that highlights a collection of artistic works with which Crown Fine Arts has been entrusted. Some new projects that were successfully managed by the Fine Arts team in the UK are featured here.
Winter Fine Art & Antiques Fair
“The World’s First Calculating Machine,” Kent to London
The UK team was asked to move the world’s first calculating machine, a very rare item which hasn't left its current home since 1816. The machine was moved from Chevening House in Kent to be exhibited for the first time at the Winter Fine Art & Antiques Fair in London. Along with the machine, Crown also transported a collection of plans and drawings of the calculator, along with a portrait of its inventor, Charles Third Earl Stanhope, painted by Thomas Gainsborough.
(Left) Earl Stanhope’s “arithmetical machine,” the world’s first calculating machine
(Right) Original plans and drawings of the “arithmetical machine”
Earl Stanhope's "arithmetical machine" solved problems in multiplication and division by the turning of a small winch. It was the world’s first to tackle the tens carry mechanism and is viewed as a marvel of 18th century ingenuity. It is one of only two surviving examples and is seen as a forerunner to today’s computer.
The machine, plans and portrait were the focus of the Loan Exhibition at the fair and Crown was charged with the packing, transportation, installation and return services.
Crown Fine Arts UK have also recently begun working with the prestigious Alexia Goethe Gallery, based in central London. After the Crown team relocated a few small art works, the gallery asked Crown to relocate 36 paintings to the Miami Scope Art Fair, which was held in December, 2008.
Representatives from the Alexia Goethe Gallery also recommended Crown to The Fine Art Society, who used Crown to transport 36 of their own pieces to the same art fair. The project was managed in coordination with the Crown team in Miami, and included the packing, transportation, hanging and return of the artworks.
London Art Fair
The London Art Fair, one of the biggest events of the UK art calendar, was a very exciting opportunity for the Crown team, as they were appointed as the "Official Packing Company" of this prestigious event. As the official packer, Crown staff members were onsite throughout the five day event providing domestic and international packing services to the galleries and to the individuals who purchased works of art.
Running alongside the main fair was Photo50, an exhibition of 50 works from around the world. Crown worked closely with the curators while providing all the shipping and hanging services.
Many of the galleries commented on how impressed they were with Crown’s services and were particularly impressed with Crown’s use of environmentally-friendly packing materials. The organizers of the event were so impressed that they have already asked Crown to serve again as the “Official Packing Company” at the 2010 fair.
“My personal thanks go to the team involved as without their hard work and the quality of service they gave, this event would not have been the success that it was. Well done to everyone involved in the project who spent so much time and effort in making it a success: Lambros Chudley, Marianne Stroud and Darja Vondrakova–and the packing team of Rod Donnellan, Colin Lyons and Darren Farrell.”
Mick Byrne
Manager, Crown Fine Arts UK
“I wanted to write and formally thank you and the entire Crown Fine Arts team for supporting London Art Fair this year. Your contribution to the fair has been widely praised–from gallerists, the public and fair management alike. This is without doubt down to the quality of service and professionalism shown by you and your team both onsite and in the lead up to the fair.”
Sarah Monk
Event Organizer of London Art Fair
Crown Fine Arts has just been granted membership to LAPADA, the UK’s largest trade association for professional art and antiques dealers. Membership is only open to those who meet the Association's requirements as to experience, quality of stock and knowledge of their subject.