Speakers: Robert Aspinall, CEO, The Shipping Monster, Andrew Stramentov, CEO and Founder, Rokbox, Lee Cavaliere, Curator and Art Director, VOMA (Virtual Online Museum of Art)

Ensuring a minimal carbon footprint and planning offset needs for a travelling exhibition doesn’t just start at the loading dock. It starts months (or even years!) earlier at the exhibition designer’s desk.

Small choices in design and fabrication can have a big impact on the ease of transit and the carbon footprint of the exhibit from one venue to the next. For example, a component just an inch wider or taller than the sea container may need to be modified to fit and repaired later. These small costs add up to additional fuel, extra single use containers, decreasing exhibit longevity, and increasing fabrication need for replacements (and their transportation). All of which factors into the overall budget as well as the environmental impact and offset needs of an institution.

We will examine these strategies from three distinct perspectives: logistical, institutional, and productional. Robert Aspinall will moderate the discussion and explain how he uses environmentally effective shipping practices to bring down overall costs. Andrew Stramentov from RokBox will discuss the use of sustainable materials in packaging and how this supports institutional green goals through recycling, waste reduction, and carbon offsets. This approach ultimately increases a travelling exhibition’s longevity and sustainability on the road. And Lee Cavaliere will discuss the goals and exhibits of VOMA, the first digital museum, and how it’s virtual design works within institutional green goals, as well as creating new opportunities to reach new global audiences. Attendees will see real world examples, methods, and metrics to apply to their work in our field and pursue environmentally conscious practices.

Andrew Stramentov
Andrew started his career at Sotheby’s in 2003 in London, before joining Gagosian Gallery in London as an Exhibitions & Art Fair Coordinator. From 2008 Andrew has worked independently helping to produce a number of major exhibitions including selections from the collection of Francois Pinault for the Garage Centre for Contemporary Art in Moscow, Jeff Koons at The Serpentine Gallery in London, a number of Venice Biennale presentations, and developing a new museum for a major private foundation. Andrew founded ROKBOX in 2014

Robert Aspinall
Robert has over 25 years in entertainment logistics, working with big brands and IP in attractions, events, music, theatre, museums, and exhibits. His customers have performed in over 40 countries and 250 cities, and they know that they can count on him to figure out solutions to their logistical nightmares. He formed his speciality logistics company, the Shipping Monster, in 2009.