MUMA Precarious Movements Converations 3

Preservation Through Knowledge Transmission: From Artist to Institution

3 November 2020

Panel: Louise Lawson (Head of Conservation, Tate) and Robert Lazarus (Associate Lecturer, Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, University of Melbourne) Moderator: Stephen Gilchrist (Lecturer, University of Sydney)

The preservation of choreographic work lays challenge to the core principles of the traditional museum model—perpetuity and permanence. What processes might better serve the preservation of choreographic works? And how might knowledge transmission occur within and without the institution? The speakers in this session discuss case studies and experiences of archiving and conserving works that engage with body, memory and social networks. Louise Lawson discusses ​the conservation practice and processes that are being developed at Tate to preserve performance art. Robert Lazarus will reflect on the importance of stretching our understanding of conservation practices through the nature of the artworks themselves, and how this responsive approach can shape the teaching and learning of new generations of conservators. 

With support from the Australian Research Council through research and commissioning partner Precarious Movements: Choreography and the Museum, a research project hosted by University of New South Wales, with Art Gallery of New South Wales, Monash University Museum of Art, National Gallery of Victoria, Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and Tate.