Components

Owned by Shelby Lakins
Last updated: Aug 14, 2024
2 min read

Component Types:

  • Part of an object
  • Accessories
  • Housing
  • See Time Based Media section for
    • Equipment
    • Copy (media copies)


Whole artworks comprised of physically separate components require component records to track locations for each physically independent part.

Component records can also be used to track objects related to an artwork like display accessories, frames, or portfolio materials.

All TMS object records automatically have one component listed. Delete or reuse the autogenerated component for multicomponent works. 

Images for components should be added to main object photography module, and the component level media should also be linked at the component level used for identifying each part.


Determining correct classification of accessories and housing.

  1. Is the container art? Yes, unique accession number, location tracked, linked to each object
    1. Is it a part of the whole? If yes, add as part of object
    2. Is it an accessory? Add as accessory component
  2. Is the container study collection worthy and/or could it possibly be displayed at some point? Yes, NA number, location tracked, linked as related object
  3. Is the container essential to keep as documentation/historical reference? Link as accessory to first record store, track in remarks
  4. Is the container worth storing? Yes, see above, no, confirm with curator if it can be discarded. If the latter, document and dispose.


Part of an object

Integral but physically separate parts of an artwork that are considered the whole artwork. For example, a teapot and its lid or a diptych painting

Component Number: Object #.a-? (2018.121.a-b)

Component name: basic descriptions, i.e. “left panel,” “grey sculpture” and “red sculpture” or “torso” and “arm”


Accessories  

Storage containers and ephemera created by the artist, received with acquisition. Title pages from print portfolios. 

Component number: Object #.ACC.# (2003.106.ACC.1)

Component name: e.g. Ephemera, or Custom housing made by the artist

Physical description: color, material, description of object


Housing

Housing or crate custom made by museum staff for the safe storage of the object.

Component Number: Object #.HSG.# (2018.94.HSG.1)

Component name: crate, box, etc.

Physical description: describe color and material


Dedicated housing and crates that are made for storage/shipping can be tracked as a housing component to aid with location tracking when a work is removed for display. Generic storage boxes that are not dedicated to a specific object do not need to be tracked and are expected to have current contents labeled on the outside and the shelf location is sufficient for locating these objects.

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