Theory and Practice in the Conservation of Modern and Contemporary Art: Reflections on the Roots and the Perspectives

摘要

This engaging and much European volume results from a 2009 symposium bearing the same title, which was organized by Hornemann Institute faculty and held in Hildesheim, Germany. The chapters are divided into three sections: theoretical principles, theory and practice, and, alas, untranslated German interview transcripts with artists, collectors, gallerists, and critics. The stated aim of the project is to address the question 'should there be specific theoretical, ethical, and aesthetical guidelines for the conservation and restoration of modern and contemporary art?' As all authors answer with an unequivocal 'yes', the question might be better constituted as 'does conservation theory developed for traditional object-based art apply to art with untested materials, ephemeral media, installation variability, and human interaction?' Here, the authors answer 'yes and no', 'sometimes', and 'it depends'. And this is where it gets interesting.