Technical Rider Framework
This is a unified structure for all future technical riders. It is meant for installation-based artworks and can be shortened or expanded depending on the project.
- title of artwork
- year
- one representative photo
- artist name
- contact email / phone
- version number of rider
- date of last update
2. Short Description
Keep this to 60-120 words.
It should explain:
- what the work is
- what visitors experience
- why specific technical conditions matter
3. Core Components
List only the essential artistic and technical components.
Example:
- projection system
- sound system
- control system
- custom objects / sculpture / surface
- safety or navigation elements
4. Dimensions / Duration / Scalability
- installation footprint
- ideal room size
- packed dimensions and weight
- duration of loops or cycles
- continuous operation or timed activations
- whether the work can be scaled down or adapted
5. Spatial Requirements
- darkness / ambient light level
- wall or floor requirements
- acoustic conditions
- humidity / dust / temperature limits
- visitor circulation
- whether a separate room is preferred or required
6. Technical Requirements Provided by Venue
- power
- blackout materials
- lighting fixtures
- mounting hardware
- plinths / stands / barriers
- service monitor or furniture if needed
- staff support during setup
7. Components Provided by Artist
This section should be very concrete.
List:
- devices
- stands
- controllers
- cables and adapters
- consumables
- packaging units
8. Sound
- whether the work has sound
- required volume range
- whether sound bleed is acceptable
- whether headphones are allowed or not
9. Light
- whether full blackout is required
- whether colored safety light is acceptable
- which light sources are part of the work
- which extra venue lights are needed
10. Safety
This should be explicit and professional.
Include only relevant points:
- laser safety
- flashing-light warning
- dark-room navigation
- hot surfaces / ventilation
- cable and trip hazards
- visitor distance from equipment
- whether mediation or supervision is recommended
11. Transport
- number of packages
- dimensions and weight of each
- fragility notes
- special handling instructions
12. Setup / Deinstallation
- setup time
- deinstallation time
- what must be done before artist arrival
- what requires artist presence
- how many assistants are needed
13. Daily Operation
This section is often missing and should always be included for long exhibitions.
- startup sequence
- shutdown sequence
- daily checks
- cleaning
- reboot instructions
- who is allowed to do these tasks
14. Maintenance
This should be separated from daily operation.
- expected maintenance frequency
- known weak points
- spare parts available or not
- remote support possible or not
- when artist intervention is required
- how service travel should be handled
15. Insurance Value
- itemized value if useful
- total insurance value
- note if value changes depending on version of work
16. Optional Curatorial Notes
Use only if needed.
- preferred viewing conditions
- seating recommendations
- ideal atmosphere
- neighboring works to avoid
17. Appendix
Optional:
- floor plan
- power diagram
- setup photos
- warning signage
- startup checklist
Recommended Design Rules
- keep it to 3-5 pages for most works
- one visual identity across all riders
- same typefaces, same grid, same section order
- use short paragraphs and flat bullet lists
- avoid mixing conceptual text and logistics inside the same section
- keep one clean first page with image, short intro, and key facts
- keep one final page for setup, maintenance, and insurance
Recommended Document Set
For each artwork, maintain three parallel files:
- source text extraction
- clean editable master rider in Markdown
- final export layout as PDF
This way, the editable source remains stable even if the PDF changes visually.