Preventive Conservation

When it comes to media artworks, thorough examination and documentation are the main preventive conservation methods. It is crucial to catalogue all the components of the artwork, understand their function and their conceptual significance.  It’s essential to identify which equipment is considered ‘dedicated’ and which is ‘non-dedicated,’ as the relationship between the display equipment and the installation is crucial. Many artists view the equipment used in displaying their work as integral to the experience, as it can significantly affect how the work is perceived. Each case should be assessed individually to determine what can be modified and what must remain unchanged in the display of the artwork. In these decisions, it’s important to involve the curator and, when possible, the artist or their representative.