This year the art world lost an artist whose name had become ubiquitous with the Chicago art scene: Karl Wirsum (1939 - 2021). A graduate of the School at The Art Institute of Chicago and a lifelong Chicagoan (a short teaching stint at Sacramento State University in the 1970's the only exception), Wirsum was a part of the Hairy Who group of Chicago artists in the mid 1960s. Truly, no collection of Chicago art is complete without a work by Wirsum.
Upon Arrival at The Center: The artwork was in stable condition. The marionette wires would need to be addressed during the mounting process.
Wirsum's "Buster," one of the artist's marionettes, is part of the corporate collection of a Chicago-based law firm. The firm's collection is focused on Chicago art and artists and is a mixed-media collection. "Buster" was acquired from the artist's personal collection and did not require conservation; however, The Center's team was called on to design a custom mount that would protect the artwork and allow it to be safely on display.
View of the back, showing the custom-made mount.
A custom designed and fabricated mount was constructed out of metal, with brackets to support the work’s weight properly. The feet of the marionette are kept hovering above the base of the mount by the brackets. The wires do not bear the weight of the sculpture.
Detail of mount bracket, left proper.
Detail of mount bracket, right proper.
Detail image of bracket base.
Once secure on the mount, the marionette was ready to be installed into a UV protective vitrine. The vitrine will protect the sculpture from dirt and dust, sun exposure, and risk associated with being on display in an office setting.
The sculpture is prepared for installation into the custom vitrine.
The vitrine is inspected for any imperfections or dust particles prior to being placed on the sculpture.
The marionette’s wires are threaded onto the top of the vitrine.
The vitrine is installed on the mount base.
The wires are secured to the top of the vitrine.
After installation: “Buster” is now ready for delivery to his permanent home.
Now safe in the vitrine, “Buster” is prominently on display in the office to be viewed and enjoyed by all.
