Technical Aspects

The technology used to produce new media works can be complex and highly specialized. The cataloguing of contemporary artworks using new technologies requires precise technical information regarding the technology used to produce the work as well as detailed plans on how it operates and how it is installed. The technical concerns include the conservation of the equipment, the documentation of the transformations such as migration, emulation and the refurbishing of obsolete equipment as well as the long term preoccupations regarding the preservation of the work.

Video components are constantly migrated to different supports depending on the available viewing systems used for the presentation of the work. These different formats and viewing systems should be documented. Changes and transformations made according to the artist’s authorization and recommendations should also be documented especially when emulating works, redesigning parts of the work or re-programming a digital component for its presentation and preservation. Major transformations involve significant in-house collaborations and often require hired specialists or consultants.

Dervish by Gary Hill is an example of a technically complex video and sound installation that consists of a spinning glass box with mirrored sides that refract images and light onto the surrounding walls. Two modified video projectors with integrated strobe lights point directly into the spinning mirrored box creating fragments of images projected at rapid speeds in variable sequences, accompanied by an array of sounds. The video images are projected on a semi-circular wall built specifically for this installation. A wood structure at the center of the piece, barely visible to the visitor, holds two modified projectors with strobe lights, a turbine engine with mirrors, a portable computer and a time code reader. The computer contains the artist’s code (program) and sends commands to the control box signalling the speed of the image turbine and the sequencing of the video projections, strobe lights and the sound.

The documentation on Dervish consists of several elaborate plans including the construction plans for the semi-circular wall, the electrical plans for the wiring with a detailed plan on each section of the installation, a “cahier des charges” as well as instructions and recommendations for the handling and care of the mechanical equipment used in the piece. Most of these plans were provided by the artist’s studio at the moment of acquisition, some of which were further documented and detailed by the MACM.

Because of the complexity of the work, the installation of Dervish is overseen by the artist or his technicians who provide assistance throughout the installation and assure the best possible presentation of the piece.