Ethical Dilemmas in the Conservation of Modern and Contemporary Art
Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Getty Center, Harold M. Williams Auditorium
Admission: Free; reservations required. Call (310) 440-7300 or use the “Make Reservation” button below.
We live in a society that does not always value the signs of age. Many modern and contemporary works of art were either intentionally meant not to last, or were made from new and untested materials that have turned out to be dramatically unstable. The resulting deterioration of these objects raises difficult questions about their conservation.
Should the preservation of such works focus on the original materials, or place more emphasis on the original appearance? Should we attempt to prolong the life of ephemeral pieces if the artist’s intention is subsequently compromised? Should components in a work that deteriorate beyond a certain point be replaced, or should the work be declared dead? Is the making of a replica a valid solution, especially if it can be created by the original artist? What happens if an artist or owner changes his or her mind about the appearance of a work? And is there a danger that early intervention will shut down interpretive possibilities for works that have not yet lived in the world?
Join a panel of experts charged with the display, management, and conservation of modern and contemporary art as they discuss these and other dilemmas that are frequently posed by the conservation of works of art from this period.
For more information click the following link: http://www.getty.edu/visit/events/ethical_dilemmas.html