Let’s talk to the artist… In the search for conservation and exhibition solutions for contemporary works made with textiles in the Basque Country
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14568/cp41038Keywords:
Contemporary art, Textiles, Basque Country, Conservation, Exhibition, Artistic intentAbstract
In the 1980s, various factors led to the development of new artistic typologies in the Basque Country, introducing fabrics and textiles into sculptures and installations now housed in major museum collections. Institutions responsible for the maintenance and exhibition of contemporary art agree that the main problems in textile-based works are mostly related to materials, formats and execution techniques but also to their exhibition and curatorial requirements. Understanding both the technical and material aspects of artistic practices, along with their conceptual foundation and artistic intent, is decisive for determining conservation needs. This research explores the conservation of contemporary art made with textiles through case studies, emphasizing the challenges related to their unique typologies and materials. It also reviews the strategies and measures implemented by important contemporary art museums in Spain and the Basque Country, underscoring the crucial role of direct collaboration with artists in ensuring their proper preservation and display.
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