Background
We were commissioned to create a booth for Richard Wentworths Lost and Found: Museums at Night. The artist wanted an interesting way to encourage Mancunians to donate objects to Manchester Art Gallery and Manchester Museum for his installation. The solution: a Temporary Acquisition Booth: a DIY cardboard construction that could house and document donations. Participants who wished to donate objects were given acquisition cards to fill in factually or fantastically. Some people took it very seriously, whilst others spent along time enjoying the playful aspect of the event. At various stations participants added descriptions and detailed measurements, they also weighed and painted colour samples of their objects. Knowledgeable conservation staff were on hand to examine objects bringing their fascinating incite into the items. The donations were packaged for the artist Richard Wentworth who made an artwork with them at the Whitworth Art Gallery.
Photos © Alan Seabright
