what is the proper height to hang art?

Table Rock and the Chimneys

A
Table Rock and the Chimneys

  • 1
  • 0
  • 20
Jizo

D
Jizo

  • 2
  • 1
  • 23
Top Floor Fun

A
Top Floor Fun

  • 0
  • 0
  • 34
Sparrow

A
Sparrow

  • 3
  • 0
  • 64
Another Saturday.

A
Another Saturday.

  • 3
  • 0
  • 94

Recent Classifieds

Forum statistics

Threads
197,395
Messages
2,758,322
Members
99,485
Latest member
broketimetraveler
Recent bookmarks
1

tilt-shift

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
10
Location
DC
Format
4x5 Format
I have to hang some of my photos framed 19x24 and I can't remember or find my notes what the proper height they should be hung at. 57"? Is there a spacing formula or do I just visually judge?

It's gonna be in a somewhat chaotic public gallery, do you guys have any tips on hanging it so it doesn't walk away. The nails will go into a plaster wall I was thinking of rapping additional wire around a screw setting that into the wall and then attaching it to the hanging wire. I'll patch the walls afterwards. Any advice, links or general ideas would greatly be appreciated thanks jeff
 

Ed Sukach

Member
Joined
Nov 27, 2002
Messages
4,517
Location
Ipswich, Mas
Format
Medium Format
tilt-shift said:
I have to hang some of my photos framed 19x24 and I can't remember or find my notes what the proper height they should be hung at. 57"? Is there a spacing formula or do I just visually judge?

I'd suggest "centered at average person eye-level".... should be somewhere around 57"... or so. Actually, if you expect children, I might go somewhat lower. For multiples, one above the other, take the "center" to be the "center of gravity for the array".

Security is something else ... an additional wire as you have suggested seems OK if a little involved. I've "curated" (who .. me?) a Public Gallery - owned by the Town - for a few years now ... and nothing has ever been stolen from the walls or statue bases. Not that it CAN'T happen, but it hasn't. I'd be more concerned about a night-time break in (that hasn't happened either) and there is little anyone can do about that, other than burglar alarms.
 

rbarker

Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2004
Messages
2,218
Location
Rio Rancho,
Format
Multi Format
I seem to recall seeing a "security" mounting system somewhere that allowed the frame to be "clicked" onto a mounting block, and then removed with a special tool. Unfortunately, I can't recall where I saw it. But, you might search around the sites for framing supply houses. Whether it's worth the trouble is another question.
 

TPPhotog

Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2004
Messages
3,041
Format
Multi Format
Mount them in metal frames and wire them to the mains :wink: But seriously I've seen a similar locking system used that Ralph mentions in art galleries. Each picture is attached to a sort of frame that swings out from the wall when unlocked with a key. Just have to remember which one. Any size of picture frame can be attached to the security frame from memory.
 

Tom Stanworth

Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2003
Messages
2,022
Format
Multi Format
I've never exhibited more than a dozen or so and have done it by eye. I reckon centered at 5"7" is about bang on. Might be worth considering plexi if you are in a location where people could catch a frame with a rucksack etc. Only problem is that kids tend to prod prints quite a bit and glass is far easier to clean.

Tom
 

bjorke

Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2003
Messages
2,252
Location
SF sometimes
Format
Multi Format
If it's art, then somewhere up where little fingers won't mess with it.

If it's pictures, go for eye level.
 
OP
OP

tilt-shift

Member
Joined
Aug 16, 2003
Messages
10
Location
DC
Format
4x5 Format
thanks for the help

thanks all for taking the time to reply to such a basic question, jeff
 

John Koehrer

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 3, 2004
Messages
8,280
Location
Aurora, Il
Format
Multi Format
Didn't Light Impressions have a secure wall mount system available?
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
468
Location
Canada
Format
4x5 Format
Here is the link to the Light Impressions Hardware. My suggestion would be to talk to your local frame shop... They'll likely have them/or can get them in short order. (Nielsen makes them for their line of metal frames)

joe
 

doughowk

Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2003
Messages
1,811
Location
Kalamazoo, MI
Format
Large Format
Our LF group recently did an exhibit in a public library (Gainesville, FL) in section with alot of traffic; and no problem as to anything missing. We just hung it with regular picture frame hangers.
 
Joined
Aug 24, 2004
Messages
468
Location
Canada
Format
4x5 Format
A note regarding the locking hardware...

I have a friend that uses them in his house. Not because people are going to be walking off with the work, but because he can make sure that everything is level, and always stays that way. Never adjust a frame again.

joe
 

Stan. L-B

Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2004
Messages
342
Location
London & Fri
Format
8x10 Format
Hello Tilt Shift.
Both here and in the US it is often the practice for the gallery authority to specify the height, fixings, and spacing to be used. Worth making an enquiry at the venue.
 

blansky

Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2002
Messages
5,952
Location
Wine country, N. Cal.
Format
Medium Format
Although Art has had some controversial posts here, I don't think it goes to the level of a hanging offense yet.

Maybe just a good talking to, and let him off with a warning.



Michael
 

modafoto

Subscriber
Joined
Oct 17, 2003
Messages
2,101
Location
Århus, Denmark
Format
35mm
blansky said:
Although Art has had some controversial posts here, I don't think it goes to the level of a hanging offense yet.

Maybe just a good talking to, and let him off with a warning.


AAAAAARRRRRGGHHHH. I was just going into this thread to write this joke....I am tooo slow.

But hang him 5 inches above the floor so he can't touch the ground :tongue:
 
Photrio.com contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
To read our full affiliate disclosure statement please click Here.

PHOTRIO PARTNERS EQUALLY FUNDING OUR COMMUNITY:



Ilford ADOX Freestyle Photographic Stearman Press Weldon Color Lab Blue Moon Camera & Machine
Top Bottom