INstAllation OF HEAVEN N EARTH


Peter and Gerard on the "scissors"

Installation of the exhibition
"hEaVEN n eARTh"
by Gerard Pas at
The London Regional Art and Historical Museum

This thumbnail Gallery gives a documentation of the installation for the exhibition "hEaVEN n eARTh" by Gerard Pas at The London Regional Art and Historical Museum (LRAHM), London Canada, April 1 - May 20, 2001.
Gerard curated his own exhibition but was assisted in the installation by Peter Hillborg, Scotty Hamer and Bob Osthoff, preparators for LRAHM. While not all the works in the exhibition are shown here, this document gives a clear idea of how much work goes into putting up an exhibition and how vital the preparators are to making exhibitions happen: Gerard went so far as to say "I'd have never hung the 'Tongues of Fire' alone, and without their help I would have been extremely frustrated."
The installation of "Tongues of Fire" took three days to install with the help of Bob. This is the first time that the work has been exhibited. It is also the first time that Gerard had seen the work in its entirety: prior to this he had only ever seen it as the 'sum of its parts' in his studio. Using up the entire end wall of the gallery, the piece becomes alive and is a celebration of hope and colour.

Please click on any image for enlargement

Where Gerard will put "Tongues of Fire"
Where Gerard will place "Sisyphus" and "The Saints"
Peter and Bob wrap Doug Kirkton's Works
The works arrive from Gerard's Studio
the gallery
the gallery is cleared
wrapping up Doug Kirkton's show
boxes of Flames
Taking down Douglas Kirkton's Show - An old high school and longtime respected friend of Gerard's

The huge arch seems best for Tongues of Fire
Chaos comes before order
On the ground we get a reasonable idea of how it will look on the wall
Gerard has laid out the work for the preparators
Tongues.. will go into the arch
the boxes are unpacked
laying sideways to the wall and on
the floor works best for composing
"Tongues of Fire" will be the first piece to be installed and the last to be finished

We need to use the lift to get this high
We elect to begin at the top - truth: that's where the wet paintings are
the work is composed in situ
Bob considers placement of the work
the "scissors"
start at the top and work down
the form begins to take shape
Bob Osthoff in contemplation
"Tongues of Fire" was composed on site

Were almost there just another day or so
Bob puts the finishing touches on the work
Scotty lights the piece - the guard is waiting so he can close the gallery
Tongues of Fire (1999-2001) by Gerard Pas
it takes 3 days to install
 Tongues of Fire begins to take shape

even Tongues of Fire needs Light
Tongues Of Fire (1999-2001)
"Tongues of Fire" uses the entire end wall of LRAHM

Peter puts hangers on "The Saints" while consulting with Scotty, Bob (in back) and Cydna
The Saints are readied for installation
Peter moves Doug's work so we can place "The Saints"
Scotty will hang "The Saints"
consultations amongst the staff
 "The Saints" unpacked

"The Saints" placed against the wall
Scotty prepares
"The Saints" and the other works come next

the works are hung from the middle
These guys are working so fast you can't even see Scotty's head
we even get a little laugh now and then
Barry Fair is busy hanging Roberta Bondar
"Saints" - elevated to the wall
 so much work so little time

it is not all work though
Barry measures our progress
all work and no play make for a good "Calvinist" but were not that

"What the...?" asks Peter
Peter helps to finish "The Saints"
The Saint's are now complete
The Saints (1998-99) by Gerard PaS at LRAHM
Peter hangs "To Have and To Hold"
 "The Saints" near completion

The Saints in situ
"The Saints" installed
the show nears completion and is ready for the opening

Not all the works from the exhibition have been included in this thumb nail gallery - namely "Phaethon's Faux Pas" and Sisyphus' Descendants" are missing.

 © Gerard Pas