The works left the Beninese capital of Cotonou in December, travelling via Morocco to Martinique where they were installed in the Fondation Clément art gallery. Present at the exhibition opening was the President of Benin himself, Patrice Talon, who travelled to Martinque for the occasion.
To ensure that the exhibition ran smoothly, the French company LPART, commissioned by the national gallery of Benin, called on AGS Benin to transport some of the works from Benin to Martinique, but above all to return the entire exhibition to Benin in June.
In total, around 150 works were packed into 86 crates and loaded into 4 containers to make the return journey.
Exceptional expertise
The pieces were transported in containers cooled to 19 degrees to prevent the build-up of moisture which can damage art in certain mediums. Upon arriving in Benin, the AGS crew began a four-and-a-half-day unpacking process.
One by one, they lifted each work from its crate and unwrapped it for inspection by museum representatives. After being assessed for a condition report, each piece was carefully rewrapped and returned to its crate before the crate was resealed. This careful handling ensures that fine art shipping standards are met, preserving the integrity of each artwork.
“AGS has the know-how to carry out operations,” explains Jean-Marc Boisgard, branch manager of AGS Benin. “Our teams work meticulously, wearing gloves and taking great care when unpacking works of art.”
Special customs clearance
AGS Benin also cleared the pieces through customs, including those donated by the Fondation Clément and those acquired by the national gallery of Benin. This required following special procedures which AGS completed in advance. “As soon as we received the details of the shipment, we began coordinating with Benin Customs and the museum,” explains Jean-Marc Boisgard. “Anticipation and preparation are essential for this type of project because it’s such a large-scale operation.”
In the meantime, most of the works will be leaving Benin again soon, bound for a new exhibition in Paris.
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