TECHNICAL COORDINATION
A team that offers bespoke technical solutions in line with current legislation while ensuring the safety of people and property.
“ARTGENÈVE: AN EXCITING CHALLENGE MOBILISING ALL OF OUR SKILLS”
Like veritable orchestra conductors, the technical coordinators play an essential role in the planning, setting up, and technical management of events that take place at Palexpo, and sometimes elsewhere. And while no two events are alike, artgenève stands out for its unusual logistical and technical aspects.
Frédéric Schneider, head of the technical coordination service, describes the different challenges that required meticulous planning and efficient management to ensure the success of the 11th edition of this contemporary and modern art fair that took place in January 2023.
WHAT MAKES ARTGENÈVE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER EVENTS HOSTED BY PALEXPO?
“Unlike other events that work with their own stand builders, we are in charge of building all the stands for over a hundred gallery owners at artgenève! Artists and galleries often have very specific requests regarding the presentation of their works and we have to offer them solutions that perfectly match the staging of their project: a stand architecture that shows the artworks to their best advantage; specific colours, textures and motives; the play of light that creates an immersive experience, or more down-to-earth, choosing partitions that can support the weight of their works! Every year, the exhibition also highlights a monumental work that requires precise technical expertise to make sure it is safe, stable, and shown to its best advantage.
We’re like a Swiss pocket knife, we must be capable of understanding and addressing the needs of every exhibitor while making sure that the entire event runs smoothly and harmoniously. Conceived like a temporary museum, artgenève really mobilises all the expertise, efficiency, and agility that the technical coordination service has!”
SO, BEHIND THE STAGING OF THE EXHIBITION, THERE’S A RIGOROUS TECHNICAL SIDE BACKSTAGE?
“Of course! Each stand has technical requirements that the exhibitor doesn’t necessarily think of. It’s up to us to be proactive and stand by them closely in the run-up to the exhibition so that everything will be perfect on The Day. As soon as the galleries have been chosen, we contact them so they can start working on their plan and indicate all their specific needs. We work closely with each of them, but also with the various Palexpo services such as the steering team, architecture and designs, to ensure that the technical side is really optimal. Lighting, furniture, presentation tools, power or water supply, safety measures… Everything gets scrupulously analysed and taken into account. Once the exhibition is set up and artgenève kicks off, we also supervise all the technical operations and quickly solve any unforeseen issues that might arise to make sure there’s no hitch. But artgenève is not only about exhibitors’ stands, we also have to manage the technical specificities of all the common areas (ticket desks, restaurants, access for the public, safety standards…) and the needs of the event partners.”
HOW DID YOU HANDLE THE LOGISTICS SPECIFIC TO AN OFF-SITE EVENT LIKE ARTMONTE-CARLO?
“artmonte-carlo also requires unusual logistics and perfectly illustrates our ability to adapt! For this edition which took place on 8 and 9 July 2023, we transported all the necessary equipment to Monaco on eight semitrailers and sent a delegation to stay there for two weeks: our technical coordinator Anne Divorne, four painters, and a team to put up the stands.”