Moving Henry Moore's gigantic sculpture – in pictures

One of Henry Moore's Large Two Forms is hoisted into the gallery. Installing them in this space has required a collapsible crane and the demolition of several walls
Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

One of Henry Moore's Large Two Forms is carefully moved through the large gallery doors. The walls that had to be demolished to get the works into the gallery will be rebuilt before the show starts, demolished to get everything out, then rebuilt again
Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

One half of Large Two Forms is carefully levered into the Gagosian Gallery. Each piece has to be delivered and unloaded in order, and the movements of the crane plotted in advance, or the massive objects could get stuck behind each other
Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

The two enormous bronzes are hollow but still weigh an impressive three and a half tonnes each
Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

Workmen position the Henry Moore pieces. Slings must be attached in a specific balanced way or the crane 'could go', says Anita Feldman, curator at the Henry Moore Foundation
Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

Workmen lay down masks to help position the sculptures. It is a brave individual (with a spanner) who has to lie down underneath the form to unbolt it from its girders
Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

At last everything is as it should be and it's lift off, as one half of Henry Moore's Large Two Forms is raised into place
Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

Henry Moore's Large Two Forms are brought together in the Gagosian Gallery. More precision planning is required so the second form does not crash into first piece
Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

After a bit more shifting (which meant starting the whole intricate process again), because the positioning wasn't quite right, Henry Moore's Large Two Forms is finally installed
Courtesy Gagosian Gallery. Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Chloe Barter

Enjoy these colossal works in London while you can because in August, when the show's over, it'll be time to call in the movers again
Courtesy Gagosian Gallery. Reproduced by permission of the Henry Moore Foundation Photograph: Chloe Barter