Installation and hanging of works of art
Hanging a painting, installing a sculpture in a garden, mounting an exhibition in an institution or moving a multi-tonne piece — these interventions have little in common, except for the requirement they share: no margin for error. For 75 years, our teams have been involved in all types of installations, from private collections to institutional exhibitions, in Belgium and internationally.
Art hanging and suspension
Hanging is the technical act that transforms a stored artwork into an exhibited one. It is not a trivial operation: the choice of the hanging system, the display height, the angle of inclination, and the resistance of the wall support all condition both the safety of the artwork and the quality of its presentation.
Our teams intervene to:
- Hanging pictures and works on paper Fixings suitable for the weight, size and nature of the wall (concrete, plaster, brick, partition), museum rail systems available on request
- Suspension of works at height — suspended ceiling tiles, exposed beams, temporary structures
- Large-format works — paintings several metres wide, tapestries, textile installations
- Series snag Galleries, exhibitions, private collections with numerous items to position
Before any work begins, we assess the site's constraints: wall strength, covering type, ceiling height, access, and existing lighting. This preliminary visit prevents any unpleasant surprises on installation day.
Installation of heavy sculptures and objects
The installation of a sculpture is as much an engineering problem as it is a logistical one. The weight, centre of gravity, fragility of surfaces and the constraints of the hosting site determine the equipment and method to be employed.
Our fleet of equipment covers all scenarios:
- Lifting gantries and lifts for indoor sculptures
- Cranes for external interventions or heavy loads
- Gallery trolleys and sledges for indoor travel without damaging floor coverings
For each heavy-item installation, we carry out a preliminary study: resistance of the floor or terrace, access for equipment, dimensions of doors and corridors, available anchoring points.
Outdoor installation and garden sculptures
Installing a sculpture in an outdoor space – a private garden, park, public area, or institutional courtyard – involves additional constraints: the nature of the ground (concrete, gravel, soil, lawn), weather conditions during the installation, permanent or temporary anchoring, and long-term protection of the piece against the elements.
We manage the entire sequence: transport from the artist's warehouse or studio, packaging suitable for outdoor environments, installation with equipment appropriate for the weight and site, and anchoring or plinth according to your requirements.
Exhibition assembly
The staging of an exhibition involves several trades working in coordination within a non-negotiable timeframe. We propose two levels of intervention depending on the project's needs.
Full control — An Embelco coordinator is present for the entire duration of the installation. They supervise the sequence of operations, act as a single point of contact on site for the curator or gallerist, and manage unforeseen events in real time. This is the recommended approach for institutional exhibitions and complex installations.
Physical installation only — our teams carry out handling and rigging operations without production coordination, according to a plan previously established with the client.
In both cases, our teams will handle:
- On-site excavation – opening of crates, checking the condition of the artworks, photographic documentation upon arrival
- Sequential hook according to the scenography plan established with the curator or gallerist
- Installation of sculptures and objects in their final locations
- Repackaging and return At the end of the exhibition, reroute to the next destination
We regularly work on installing temporary and permanent exhibitions for museums, galleries, and cultural institutions in Belgium and abroad.
Art fair logistics — stand installation and dismantling
Art fairs impose mounting and dismantling constraints unlike those in conventional exhibitions: strict building access slots, simultaneous rotation of numerous galleries, and dismantling often carried out at night or in the early hours of the morning.
We provide installation logistics for galleries participating in major Belgian and European art fairs — Art Brussels, BRAFA, and other events in Paris, Amsterdam, and Cologne. Our service covers the entire cycle: transportation of artworks, installation at the stand, and return after closing.
Installation in private collections
Unpacking is the step that immediately follows delivery – and one of the most delicate. Opening a crate incorrectly, without the right tools or necessary protections, can damage a work that has survived intercontinental transport without a hitch.
We provide on-site excavation services in galleries, exhibition spaces, warehouses, and private residences. For every unboxing, we establish a Inventory report documented by photographs: condition of the packaging, condition of the artwork upon unpacking, comparison with initial condition report. This document serves as a reference for insurance and for the lender if the artwork is on deposit.
The excavation can be organised independently or in direct continuity with the transport and the hooking.
On-site pre-assessment
Before any complex installation, we propose a site visit. This assessment allows us to identify constraints – access, support strength, ceiling height, space configuration – and to tailor the choice of equipment and team organisation before the big day.
This step avoids last-minute discoveries and ensures that the intervention proceeds within the planned timeframe. It is systematically proposed for exhibition installations, heavy sculpture installations, and interventions in listed or sensitive buildings.
Transport and installation - a single point of contact
When the carrier and the installer are two separate providers, responsibility for the work is fragmented. Who is liable if damage occurs between unloading the truck and the first installation point? At Embelco, transport and installation are covered by the same contract, the same teams, and the same protocols. Responsibility is continuous – from the departure of the goods to their final installation.
This is particularly useful for exhibition setups where transport, unpacking, and hanging must follow each other in a tight window without any breakdown in coordination.
They trusted us
FAQ
What types of works can you install?
Paintings and works on paper of all dimensions, sculptures of all materials and weights, contemporary installations, art furniture, chandeliers and glass objects, tapestries and textile works, and any item requiring special care during handling.
Do you work with private individuals or only in institutions?
We work with private collectors, galleries, museums, public institutions, businesses, and hotels. The type of client does not affect our handling protocols.
Can you handle very complex installations – sculptures weighing several tonnes, works at height, buildings that are difficult to access?
Yes. We have lifting gantries, lifts and cranes for heavy loads and working at height. A preliminary study is carried out for each complex project before work begins.
Do you offer a site survey?
Yes. For any complex installation, we visit the site before the work to assess architectural constraints, the strength of the supports, and equipment needs. This step is included in our process for projects that require it.
Do you also handle the unpacking of artworks upon arrival?
Yes. We can handle the on-site unpacking of crates, condition assessment upon arrival with photographic documentation, and then direct installation. This is a natural continuation of the transport that we have organised ourselves.
Do you work with institutional exhibition fittings?
Yes. We provide services for the installation of temporary and permanent exhibitions, in coordination with curators and exhibition managers. We adapt our intervention schedule to the slots set by the institution.
Can you install sculptures in an outdoor space?
Yes — private gardens, parks, public spaces, institutional courtyards. We assess soil and environmental constraints and select the appropriate anchoring or fixing method.
How does the quote request process work?
Describe the desired intervention – type of work, location, specific constraints – and we will respond within 24 hours with a proposal. For complex projects, an initial visit can be arranged before the final quote is established.
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