The Second Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Brisbane, Australia, 1996 : Report

REGISTRATION The Gallery's Registration Section arranged the packing, unpacking, transportation, insurance, customs clearances and quarantine inspections associated with 126 artworks including various installation components presented in the Second Triennial. This operation involved the safe movement of 14,500 kgs of crated artworks from sixteen countries. As with the First Triennial, the task of organising this volume of artworks was logistically challenging and demanding. The process required constant liaison with artists, lenders, dealers, curators, galleries, freight agents, airline and transportation staff, as well as officials from the Australian Customs Service and the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. In addition, the Gallery received considerable and valuable assistance from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Australian Embassies and High Commissions throughout the region. The substantial experience gained by Registration staff during the First Triennial provided the framework for the processes involved in the Second Triennial. However, as the project's scope expands with each Triennial, different demands are placed on Registration Staff. For the Second Triennial, artworks were required from all regions involved in the First Triennial, with the addition of India, Taiwan, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Yam Island in the Torres Strait. Each country/territory requires specialist knowledge concerning freight agents, import and export procedures and transportation of works. Singapore Airlines was a principal sponsor of the exhibition and as such, organised the freight of the majority of the works from their country of origin to and from the Gallery. The only exceptions were those destinations such as Papua New Guinea, Aotearoa/New Zealand, New Caledonia, Vanuatu and Torres Strait which were not included on Singapore Airlines schedules, in these instances the most appropriate airlines were engaged. Singapore Airlines provided the Gallery with every assistance, continuing the excellent relations between the Gallery and this important sponsoring organisation. The Associate Registrar, Mr Simon Elliott, co-ordinated the Registration aspects of the Second Triennial. The Associate Registrar was also a member of the Curatorial Team for Malaysia and travelled to Malaysia and Singapore. 8