see also twitter hash "decode 09"
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Douglas Dodds and Honor Beddard, V&A, 'Word and Image Department':

Gustav Metzger identified in 1965? problem of too large a quantity of 
artwork to collect, because of New Technology/crisis

Some drawing have unidentified authors so need to collaborate to 
identify.

Patric Prince collection also includes correspondence (all on online 
catalogue at National Art Library), slides, etc.


Patric Prince [is great, very funny, Beryl is a fan!]:

Saw first computer art in late 1960s and 70s, at parties in LA, but the 
libraries had nothing. NY had a bit more. had to write to artist and 
ask ofr their resume, then write to the curator, for a list of artists, 
researched "like a spider's web". Did practice: could programme not 
compile!

Her husband was relieved when the collection was accepted. "Collect it 
because you love it". She has showed diskettes on plate stands because 
didn't have a computer!

My question to all: Computer art works across many 'museum departments' 
- Charlie has mentioned performance - so how much are you seeing the 
art just 'as print' - is this because of your histories, and because 
you CAN collect prints/drawing?
A: Douglas Dodds' background was in computers and Honor Beddard's was 
in commissioning contemporary art (CAS) etc. so is aware of wider 
contexts, but other departments at V&A are painting ans sculpture- 
artists don't work in these 'departments' any more. Patric Prince 
experienced  'happenings' in SF in the 70s, was searching for a "truly 
hard edged art".

Ann Morgan Spalter:

Resistance to technology:
Max Bense was interpreted as "dehumanising art"
Manfred Mohr was egged for using a "military machine"
Pollock Krausner fund print but not if computer generated.
Code as a specialised language.
Being at V&A has increased serious interest in their collection.

Q: Has there been any loss in collection?
A: Actually ink on paper is quite stable.
Patric Prince: some pieces were fugitive, kept in dark places.
Frieder Nake: Has destroyed some older works. He gives students an 
image and a brief to write a programme, not to reproduce but to 
reinterpret the general feeling.
Q Shane Walter V&A: Festivals, do you commission as well as collect?
No, but V&A does.
Q: screen based work- how preserve?
A: that's why we collect print!




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Beryl Graham, Professor of New Media Art
Faculty of Arts, Design, and Media, University of Sunderland
Ashburne House, Ryhope Road
Sunderland
SR2 7EE
Tel: +44 191 515 2896    Fax: +44 191 515 2132
Email: [log in to unmask]

CRUMB web resource for new media art curators
http://www.crumbweb.org