Object display

Objects in cases

Guidelines and measurements for displaying objects in cases

Consultation with a wide range of people has allowed us to develop a standard set of measurements and design details for display cases.

We prefer to use detailed and to-scale case layout drawings to plot the positions of objects in cases and their interpretation.

• A display case height of 800 mm from the floor is comfortable for many visitors
• Case top hoods are usually preferable to recessed cases. If recessed cases are used, they should be shallow (up to 100 mm deep)
• Unless it is not possible for conservation reasons, mounts and cradles should be used to raise and angle objects towards the visitor
• Objects should not be displayed in front of images or patterns. The background should ideally be in high visual contrast with the object

Objects on walls

Guidelines and measurements for displaying objects on walls

Consultation with a wide range of people has allowed us to develop a standard set of measurements for hanging works on walls. 

We prefer to use detailed and to-scale elevation drawings to plot the positions of wall-mounted objects and their interpretation.

• Wall-mounted work should be centred at a height of 1200–1500 mm above the floor
• Decisions about centre lines should take into account the size of the object, its level of detail and the artist’s intention for viewing (a poster is designed to be viewed from a distance and can usually be hung higher than a work with small text or fine detail)
• Wherever possible, maintain a single eyeline and avoid hanging work in multiple lines

Installations and objects on open display

Any artist’s installation should meet the same criteria for access and inclusion as exhibition design.

Artists making new works or installing existing works at this scale should read these guidelines and work with the project curator and project manager closely to ensure that their intent is realised in a way that is accessible and inclusive.

Works should have clear circulation, be free of trip hazards, and follow guidelines for eyelines and interpretation.

Guidelines and measurements for objects on open display

Freestanding work on open display should be displayed in a way that allows an unconstrained view but creates an appropriate boundary around the work. Artists and lenders may specify a particular type of barrier.

Our preference is as follows:

• Use a plinth or create a barrier of sufficient footprint to provide minimum 1 metre arm’s reach all around the object
• For work that is displayed on the floor, use a low-level plinth (up to 150 mm high) or floor markings that are in good visual contrast with the floor
• For work that is suspended from the ceiling, at a level from the floor that can’t be detected by the sweep of a cane (above 300 mm), consider how to mark out the floor beneath the object, or connect the structure down to floor level
• ‘Do not touch’ or ‘Please touch’ signage should be clearly visible on the plinth top
• An object label should be co-located with the work, either on a plinth top or, if the plinth top is low, on a stem raising the label to viewing height (800 mm)