The Challenge
- To protect the artwork from loss and damage due to touching while on exhibit, and create an optimal viewing experience as visibility is critical to the appreciation of this masterwork.
The Solution
Optium Museum Acrylic®
Anti-reflective
Allows viewers to see the artwork rather than distracting reflections.
Acrylic is half the weight of glass and shatter resistant
Safeguards against injury and damage to artwork and visitors.
Anti-static protection exceeds that of glass
Immediately eliminates static charges. Makes for safer, easier framing and less cleaning.
Abrasion resistant
A durable hard coat protects against scratches from cleaning and general exposure to the public.
99% UV blocking
Protects the artwork from the most damaging light wavelengths, helping prevent fading and degradation.
The Work
The work consists of 66 coins, hammered flat, obliterating or nearly obliterating the evidence of their monetary value, and country of origin. The coins are ½” – 1 ¼” in diameter from various metal alloys and colors. Each of the coins became a surface onto which he painted images with extremely detailed delicacy and adeptness. These coins when installed on a wall become a galaxy unto themselves, revealing a whole universe of ideas, thought, emotions, and feeling.
For Brooklyn Galaxy, Ni Youyu chose nineteen masterworks from Brooklyn Museum’s collection and painted their images in supreme detail. These pieces are installed in the Chinese Galleries alongside his work. He began the artwork in 2014 with the first coin being an image of the museum’s Cizhou Ware Pillow in the Form of a Tiger
The artist created a specific diagram indicating where each coin was to be placed. Working from a to scale template, each coin was installed on the wall with microcrystalline sticky wax before being glazed with the Tru Vue Optium acrylic sheet.
More Info
- Bequest of Dr. Bertram H. Schaffner, by exchange and Designated Purchase Fund, 2019.9.
- Find more information on this project and installation in QuickVue.