PROJECTS
The Material and Social Lifespans of Contemporary Artworks
Award Holder
Dr Christopher Wright
Goldsmiths, University of London
Partner Organisation
White Cube
Doctoral Student
Katrina Crear
This Collaborative Doctoral project documents the material lifespans of contemporary art objects from production, across their life trajectories as they are exchanged, maintained and documented, to the ways that they materially age, are remade, or physically cease to be. At its most basic, it is a survey of a vast range of materials, and broad production techniques, that contemporary artists are utilising to make art. As an anthropological study it rests on the assumption that art objects cannot be disengaged from the persons who make, possess and know them. It is also therefore, a survey of the experiences and knowledge of the many varied persons who may become involved with, become responsible for, and make decisions for, the material lifespans of artworks from fabrication, exhibition and collection, to conservation, care and maintenance.
The practical objective for the project has been to develop an archive at White Cube of information related to artists’ intentions for the material care of their work and technical information over physical production, installation and long-term maintenance. This information is valuable - currently and for posterity - for understanding how artworks, produced with the many varied materials of contemporary art, should be displayed for each new exhibition and installation. In that decisions over conservation are usually based on this diverse range of information, the project seeks to contribute to theories and practice for contemporary art conservation, collections’ care and management.
