"Duze dzielo sztuki". Sztuka Instalacji - autentyzm, zachowanie, konserwacja.
English title: “Large Work of Art”. Installation Art. Authenticity, Preservation, Conservation.
Author: Monika Jadzi?ska
Date of publication: 2012
ISBN: 97883-242-1693-2
Publisher: Universitas, Krakow
English title: “Large Work of Art”. Installation Art. Authenticity, Preservation, Conservation.
Author: Monika Jadzi?ska
Date of publication: 2012
ISBN: 97883-242-1693-2
Publisher: Universitas, Krakow
English abstract:
Contemporary art reflects the diversity and dynamism of the human experience of our time. Works of art are no longer physical “objects”, but rather have become a hybrid of meanings, relationships, processes, and material. They, at the same time, redefine issues of authorship, durability and reproduction. A contemporary work of art must exist, and eventually preserved, all in order to be sold, bought, collected and exhibited. However, due to its highly diverse tangible and intangible existence, one does not know whether and in what form the artwork will be preserved. For that matter, one would not even know its form of preservation. Conservation theory and practice, developed in traditional art, become insufficient. Installation art is one (radical) art form, where these issues need to be addressed. This is the “large art work” of the title (dictionary definition; Oxford, 1969). Is the work, where some or all “original” elements have been replaced, still the same work? Who has the right to do it and how? How can one treat a replica, reconstruction or emulation, while trying to maintain its authenticity? These are some issues that need to be addressed.
Authenticity is one of the most important factors that impacts the artwork’s value. It fundamentally affects decisions on purchase, exhibits, preservation and conservation. The book includes a historical survey of authenticity in regards to early art, along with its significance in the context of conservation-restoration. It will further be established what the art of installation is, what determines its authenticity, and ultimately how that affects its preservation. The aim of this study is to designate good practice standards and to solve any issues on preservation through complex research. In addition, this study will develop a methodology providing guidelines on the care, conservation and exhibition and offering modern solutions through theory analysis, recent research and conservation practice.
The book consists of six chapters. The first one addresses authenticity in the past. This tells how authenticity influenced the artworks’ value and treatment, and how it developed a set of standards and doctrines on the theory and practice of conservation. The subject of further analysis is installation art, being that varied art, where determining authenticity is most difficult, but which provides the most open framework for multidimensional discourse. The second chapter defines installation art, discusses its origins, and outlines its history and key characteristics. The chapter addresses the historical development and artistic trends impacting its rise, while describing the proto-installations and canon of the most important installations. This is a fascinating journey through the 20th century, which shows how the art of installation differs from other strands of contemporary art, what determines its identity and how that affects future perception and practice. The third chapter looks at preserving authenticity in the art of installation. It outlines the objectives and the needs of modern conservation, preservation and presentation of installations in comparison with the rules of traditional conservation. Analyzing the conceptual and structural dimensions, along with the role and significance of material, has been based on some philosophical ideas (mainly of Martin Heidegger, Roman Ingarden, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Cesare Brandi, Walter Benjamin and Theodor Adorno). This paper has proposed an innovative system based on the semiotic theory of Charles Peirce to determine the meaning and value of the given material. The chapter also proposes a new model on caring and conserving installation pieces. It points out the complex nature of the issues involved, indicating some objectives resulting from the choice of values and ethical conduct guidelines. The limits of theory and practice of conservation-restoration and the changing role of conservator and curator will also be examined. The interdisciplinary nature of the installation as material, concept and structure required multidimensional analysis. The fourth chapter examines the intangible dimension, including idea analysis, relativity of spatial relationship, processualism, contextuality, potential unity and a new dependence on space and place, sensual elements and the perception of the audience. It is important to address the intentions of the artist and the various related issues, from creation through some changes and risks arising from incorrectly interpreting the question of authorship and legal protection of the work’s integrity. The fifth chapter focuses on preserving authenticity of the material sphere of the installation. The approach to materials, ready-mades, new technologies, ephemeral and sensual elements has to be different than that of traditional art. Some shifts in the role and significance of the material have been identified in historical perspective. In regards to material, its resilience and preservation were changing, influencing the development of modern art. The sixth chapter discusses various strategies of interpretation and treatment of installation pieces by specifying the risk of bad practice and the resulting threats as well as pointing to the so-called good practice. It describes practical solutions aimed at preserving and presenting installation. These include operations carried out directly on the object: conservation-restoration, interchangeability of degraded elements, as well as a whole range of measures going beyond the original piece: replica, reconstruction, emulations, etc. Other described measures belong to the conceptual realm although they impact the physical shape of the work. Some attention has been given separately to an issue of the treatment of works using new technologies and of ephemeral installations. The final and extremely important point is the new role and form of documentation. Issues on practical forms of protection and conservation have been discussed in depth, demonstrated through pieces or projects by Polish and other foreign artists.
Installations are held in museums and galleries, in private collections or they function in the public space, having been one of the main strands of visual arts for decades. Although they tend to disappear; are poorly preserved, exhibited, or involuntarily destroyed. Do they have a chance to survive? A number of adverse features and “living” conditions of installation art – such as the effects of the passage of time, impermanent or perishable materials, ready-made elements, new technologies or experimental concepts and technological solutions, and improper handling – require urgent intervention. The life of installation art depends not only on the nature of the work itself, but also on the people, on whom its future is entrusted. One must determine an appropriate strategy for the preservation, care and conservation. In order to so, one needs to understand what should be preserved and why that the work remained authentic. This is important to assess and appreciate contemporary art, research into ideas and material, and the presentation and conservation. It is important for all those who are not indifferent to the issue of survival of the heritage of our time.
The book presents a broad understanding of issues related to authenticity in art, in connection with issues of conservation of contemporary art, on the example of installation art, and includes a description of its history, nature, problems and needs. This also presents solutions for protection, care and conservation. It may also be useful as a valid source of knowledge about the phenomena, facts and scholarly analysis in this area, which has direct practical applications.