“From Here to Eternity: Experimental and Creative Approaches to Collecting and Distributing New Media Art Within Regional Arts Organisations” presented by Smithson
Symposium:
Session Title:
- Curatorial Practice
Presentation Title:
- From Here to Eternity: Experimental and Creative Approaches to Collecting and Distributing New Media Art Within Regional Arts Organisations
Presenter(s):
Venue(s):
Abstract:
This paper is an overview of preliminary research undertaken for the creation of a framework for collecting and distributing new media art within regional art galleries in the U.K. From the 1960’s practitioners have experimented using computers, and the art-form has evolved into multiple strands of production, presentation and distribution. But are we, as collectors, researchers, artists and enthusiasts facing an uncertain future concerning the integration of new media art into institutional cultural organisations? Recently, concerns have been raised by curators regarding the importance of learning how to collect new media art if there is to be any hope of preserving its past. A fear of the unknown of experimental models of curatorial activities such as collecting, preservation and documentation appear to be a barrier to some mainstream, university and municipal galleries when acquisitioning or commissioning new artworks into their collections, while methods of distribution using new media platforms are still at a very experimental stage. This paper explores that by collaboration, experimentation and the sharing of knowledge and resources, these concerns may be conquered to preserve and make new media art accessible for future generations to enjoy and not to lament over the obsolescence of what it once was.
