ABSTRACT
Acquisition of Media Works in Museum Collections Today
The acquisition of media works in museum collection is a crucial moment in the life-cycle of an artwork, its display and preservation.
This process requires a proactive approach which includes collaborating with other departments within the institution, establishing a dialogue with the artist and artist’s representative and, gaining an initial understanding of the aural and technical qualities of the work. Many factors influence acquisition practices and those often depend on the type of collecting institution, the artwork acquired, the type of acquisition (if a gift or a purchase) and the team responsible for shepherding works into the collection.
Borrowing from the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Brooklyn Museum’s recent acquisitions, this presentation will illustrate practices and challenges encountered during the acquisition of media works. Bringing the perspective of a member of the conservation team, this presentation will highlight how collaboration within and outside the institution contributed to the understanding of these works and ultimately to care for the museums media collections.