Investigating distributed curation and global-to-local methodologies in the From Earth to the Universe project. Adapted from a presentation for Brown Univ. on November 17, 2010.
Distributed curation and global to local methodology
1. Distributed curation and global to local methodologyDistributed curation and global to local methodology
K.ArcandK.Arcand
-Converting visitors to members, interpretation to facilitation, them to us-Converting visitors to members, interpretation to facilitation, them to us
-Small affinity groups to provide interpretation, meaning, relevance-Small affinity groups to provide interpretation, meaning, relevance
-Distributed knowledge systems and collectives from net art to Wikipedia-Distributed knowledge systems and collectives from net art to Wikipedia
(Durel & Durel, “Golden Age for Historic Properties”)(Durel & Durel, “Golden Age for Historic Properties”)
2. Distributed = Viral?Distributed = Viral?
-Decrease in control/authority-Decrease in control/authority
-Unpredictable, spreading, self--Unpredictable, spreading, self-
controlling, mutating.controlling, mutating.
-Process-based and-Process-based and
transformative system oftransformative system of
redistributing power; redefiningredistributing power; redefining
the role of cultural workerthe role of cultural worker (Krysa,(Krysa,
J. “Distrib. Curating & Immateriality”J. “Distrib. Curating & Immateriality”
2008)2008)
3. Case Study: From Earth toCase Study: From Earth to
the Universe (2008-)the Universe (2008-)
-Public call for images (with-Public call for images (with
professional committee toprofessional committee to
select the 125 “winners”)select the 125 “winners”)
-End product an online-End product an online
repository of curatedrepository of curated
materials, with trust inmaterials, with trust in
scientific & technologicalscientific & technological
integrityintegrity
4. Global/Local MethodologyGlobal/Local Methodology
-Global platform, but local-Global platform, but local
implementation by anyimplementation by any
volunteervolunteer
-Each location adapted the-Each location adapted the
collection, adding local flavor –collection, adding local flavor –
local imagery, mythology,local imagery, mythology,
traditions, context.traditions, context.
-Commonly bound by ethical-Commonly bound by ethical
use of material, non-profituse of material, non-profit
5. Shanghai, China
Viral result –Viral result – 1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,
malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.
6. Shiraz, Iran
Viral result –Viral result – 1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,
malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.
7. Paysandú, Uruguay
Viral result –Viral result – 1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,
malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.
8. Moscow, Russia
Viral result –Viral result – 1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,
malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.
9. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Viral result –Viral result – 1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks,
malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same.
10. Case Study: Sight Lines, LookingCase Study: Sight Lines, Looking
Back, Seeing ThroughBack, Seeing Through
Exhibition (2010)Exhibition (2010)
-Exploring connections betweenExploring connections between
high energy processes acrosshigh energy processes across
fields with local artistfields with local artist
responding to works &responding to works &
commenting on site specificity.commenting on site specificity.
-Emphasis on local can breakEmphasis on local can break
down with lack of time, funds,down with lack of time, funds,
resources.resources.
-Failure to implement “locality”-Failure to implement “locality”
11. Time to try again? “From Earth to theTime to try again? “From Earth to the
Solar System”, and “Here, There, &Solar System”, and “Here, There, &
Everywhere” distributed projectsEverywhere” distributed projects
launching in 2011 and 2012. Stay tuned.launching in 2011 and 2012. Stay tuned.
More information atMore information at
http://www.fromearthtotheuniverse.org/http://www.fromearthtotheuniverse.org/
httphttp://chandra.si.edu/art/xray/://chandra.si.edu/art/xray/
http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/fettss/http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/fettss/
Email: kkowal@cfa.harvard.eduEmail: kkowal@cfa.harvard.edu
Notes de l'éditeur
(Illustration of neural activity in the mammalian brain – a prime example of collective intelligence and distributed knowledge as no one neuron is assigned to a specific thought process)
“Golden Age for Historic Properties” by Durel squared focuses on the conversion of visitors to members, of interpretation to facilitation, of them to us, in the modern age of cultural tourism. The authors recommend moving towards small affinity groups to provide interpretation, meaning and relevance.
There is a general trend towards independent curation and distributed knowledge systems from the art world to online systems. As an example, Wikipedia.
This is a decrease in control and authority of the curatorial process, including the final outcome, which might take the form of a physical exhibition. Can curatorial practice be analogous to viral code? Where the product is unpredictable, spreading, uncontrollable, self-repeating and mutating in behavior outside the initial exercise of control by the curator? If so, it then becomes a process-based and transformative system redistributing power, and redefining our roles as cultural workers.
Museums and cultural workers are indeed still needed today. But the outdated system of exclusive control over what the public sees is not feasible to be maintained and is not necessarily in the best interests of the parties involved. Instead, this could be viewed as an updated system of enabling and animating, in an open collective practice.
Distributed Curation in FETTU
-Public call for images (but private committee of scientists & communicators to select the winners)
-End product a repository of submitted materials, but with trust in scientific and technological authority
Global/Local Methodology
-Global platform, but local implementation, by anyone who could make it happen – scientist/communicator, amateur or non-expert.
-Each location adapted the “collection” to their needs, adding local flavor – local imagery, social/cultural traditions, knowledge of local spaces and context.
-Commonly bound by ‘ethical’ use of material – non profit, in the spirit of IYA2009
Viral result? – 1,000 sites (mostly outside museum walls – libraries, parks, malls, metros, etc. - in 70 countries, 40 languages). No two were the same, highly dependent on local programming.
When can that backfire?
A Case study:
Sight Lines: Looking Back, Seeing Through
Back fires when resources/time are unavailable
The idea was to exhibit the connection between high energy process across multiple fields. We hoped to capitalize on the local/global idea by having local artists at each site (Brown, NYC, DC) respond to the pieces and provide some site-specific contextualization. Barely worked at Brown, was totally dropped from NYC/DC - due to lack of time, resources and drive.
More information at
http://www.fromearthtotheuniverse.org/
And
http://chandra.si.edu/art/xray/