Digital Archivables, Artistic Data and Curated Forms of Presentation: Archival Practices in the Performance-based Arts

Conference organized by the research project “Subverting Archival Practices” in collaboration with documenta archiv

The international conference “Digital Archivables, Artistic Data and Curated Forms of Presentation: Archival Practices in the Performance-based Arts” will focus on questions of digital infrastructure and working methods in the context of self-organized community- and artist-driven archival practices. However, the internet as a workspace for artistic and curatorial projects is largely dominated by the platforms and software solutions of commercial tech companies and the power structures they implement through their algorithms and content management templates. In light of current political developments, these urgently need to be challenged. Non-institutional archival initiatives generally do not have the means to develop their own tools and infra-structures due to cost or interoper ability issues or manpower and expertise. But which alternatives are available? And under which conditions? The conference is dialogic and invites representatives of six initiatives — CHAKKARs, Performatorium, Akademie der Künste der Welt, Non-Aligned Dance Archive, re.act.feminism, touching margins — to present and discuss their working methods with experts and activists.

With: Juana Awad, Dušan Barok, Sarah Bergh, Nanna Bonde Thylstrup, Barbara Büscher, Sandra Chatterjee, Anna Chwialkowska, Birgitta Coers, Franz Anton Cramer, Ulrike Hanstein, Olivia Jaques, Bettina Knaup, Melissa Köhler, Isabella Krayer, Jan Kryszons, Saskia Mattern, Shusha Niederberger, Birk Schindler, Marlies Surtmann, Jasmina Založnik

The research project “Subverting Archival Practices” is conducted by Barbara Büscher and Franz Anton Cramer at the University of Music and Theatre (HMT) Leipzig. It addresses individuals and initiatives in the field of dance, activism, curation and performance. Besides artistic studio work and various discursive formations, they operate in the digital realm for doc umenting, preserving/storing, and presenting material which has emerged from their respective practices. The relationship between the digital and the physical (and often private) realm, and between these and the institutional sphere, crucially impacts how the material is preserved, authenticated and made accessible.

Registration required at archiv@documenta.de

The event will be held in English.

Full program