Innovative Digital Curation: Balancing Authenticity and Technological Representation

Topic
Curation
Written on
August 2, 2023
Course

In my role as a curator, I've embarked on a nuanced journey to translate physical artworks into the digital realm, guided by a three-tier categorization system. This system is not just about digital transformation; it's an ethical consideration of how each artwork's essence can be maintained or altered when moved to an online platform.

1. Reproduction and Re-presentation:The first tier involves artworks that can be digitized with minimal impact on their meaning. This includes considering whether a digital iteration could offer an experience akin to physical engagement. Here, Walter Benjamin's seminal work on art reproduction in a technological age becomes a guiding beacon, helping me assess the potential change in meaning or experience in digital formats.

2. Substitutive Experience:The second tier addresses artworks where digital representation might provide a different but still valuable experience. This delicate balance aims not to replace but to complement the physical engagement, thereby offering an alternative perspective without diminishing the artwork's original intent.

3. Untranslatable Essence:The final tier consists of artworks that resist digital translation. Their aura, meaning, or value is intricately tied to their physical form, making digital representation potentially detrimental to the artist's vision. Examples include performance pieces or installations like Joel's light and box performance or Samuel Fossard's "Pieces of Cake" (pending correct attribution). These works pose a unique challenge: capturing their essence in a digital format might distort the very experience they intend to convey.

Conclusion:Through this careful curation process, I am committed to respecting the original intentions of the artists and the artworks. The digital space offers immense possibilities, but it also demands a thoughtful approach to ensure that the essence of each piece is preserved. As I progress, I remain open to revisiting artworks initially set aside, ensuring that the digital exhibition reflects both innovation and integrity.