Andrea Wood was a member of the panel on Registration Pioneering : Organizing Exhibitions from the Far Corners of the Globe at the International Registrars Symposium in New Orleans in May 2004.

She drew heavily on the experiences she had when working at the Warhol Museum. During that time she toured "Andy Warhol: His Art and Life" through thirteen countries in Eastern and Central Europe and Asia - including Kazakhstan, the Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, Slovenia, Slovakia, Croatia, and the Baltics.

How much pre-planning went into the Warhol tour - and how involved were you in the pre-planning?
Unfortunately, I was involved less than I would have hoped to be! I reviewed the US State Department produced facility reports with our conservator, but these proved to be quite inadequate for the information we really needed. At that point, I was only 'Acting' registrar, as the former registrar had passed away fairly recently before that.

Was this planning done in conjunction with a reliable shipping agent?
The Warhol used RBA and Associates, New York, which are IATA licensed international freight forwarders, for the entire tour. The locations of the venues proved to be quite a challenge for everyone, and we were really learning as we went. We also had the added complication of working with the US State Department and the embassies for each country, so each step of planning was unbelievably complex to organize.

How were the overseas agents selected?
RBA mainly worked with agents that were based in the countries that we were shipping to/from because of their experience with all the idiosyncrasies of their country, such as logistics, customs, language, etc.

What procedures do you think are most important for a fine art transport in these countries and how do these procedures compare with standards in the USA?
When trucking involved traveling through several countries, it was necessary for each shipping company to understand customs practices, local quirks, etc. In the USA, trucking companies do not have to deal with dangers involving the security of their trucks. That is just one example. But as long as you have clear communication about what you are expecting from your transport company, there is less chance of any unexpected surprises.

You mentioned keeping a Journal. Why is this so important?
My journal provides a place for me to take work notes as well as just 'diary' like entries, and everything is in the same place. If there is a problem, I try to write down everything in great detail so that when I get home, I can deal with the problem better since I have good notes. I also write out my fascinating experiences and it provides me with entertainment on future trips! When reading some of my old journal entries, I sometimes think "I can't believe I survived that!"

How important is it to understand the local culture and learn a few words of the local language?
If you have an idea about the culture you have to deal with, you can be better prepared to tackle problems, such as local holidays and if you are female, their regard towards women. And as I mentioned in my session in New Orleans, there are a few words that will help you out tremendously when it comes to loading crates, such as STOP, GOOD, THANK YOU, and of course, YES and NO. Also, knowing the words for HELLO, GOODBYE, TOILET and WATER can really come in handy, too.

What are your five best tips for organizing exhibitions in these kinds of countries?
1. Never reuse old crates, no matter how tight your budget is.
2. Send a courier that has some serious stamina and grace under pressure.
3. Add a 15% contingency in your budget, or as much as possible. You will need it.
4. Do site visits at each venue to check the physical space and egress.
5. Find a shipping agent that you feel confident in.

Any suggested reading?

On the Road Again: Developing and Managing Traveling Exhibitions By Rebecca Buck and Jean Allman Gilmore… a great book by two of the goddesses of the profession.

Courier Speak by Cordelia Rose… a phrase book that also teaches (with the cutest frog drawings!)

A Journey of One's Own: Uncommon Advice for the Independent Woman Traveler By Thalia Zepatos… Since so many couriers are women, this book is full of great advice.

Going Abroad by Eva Newman… the ultimate practical bathroom book.

By Kim Powell - International Art Services
Andy Warhol post photograph by Andrea Wood

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