thesis: the begining

It has been over a year since my last post, but I have uncovered and dusted off my blog and am at it once again, although this time with a slightly different purpose: to document my thesis project and to allow myself a place to think out loud. 

I was terrified heading into thesis class, especially considering I have no idea what it is i might like to explore or focus on. However, I have been reassured I have some time (although still not much) to figure things out. 

Throughout my university career, I have found myself always drawn to similar objects, items, themes and topics, and it is somewhere in this realm that I imagine I will find just what I am looking for. Collections, the objects they hold and the reasons behind them are forever fascinating. (for more on this topic please visit my other blog: neuroticcollections.blogspot.com) I am interested in the documentation of collections, whether they be personal or in a museum or gallery, labels, catalogues and the process of cataloguing and archives and archiving. I am curious about libraries, museums, galleries, archives, zoos, auctions and archeology  - all having to do with the gathering and collection of information,objects and artifacts and their display, organizing, documentation, labeling and storing. These are areas I will have to explore further.

Artsits who use the museum as their material also fascinate me – Hans Hacke, Fred Wilson and a zillion other artists and many conceptual artists who were questioning the role and authority of the institution - 

What is a collection? What happens to a collection when put on display? What happens to an object on display? How does the authority of a museum/institution change the object(s) or perception of object(s)? Does labeling something make it a collection? How does display change the perception of an object? Does it change it’s purpose? Remove pupose? Grant purpose? Why do people collect things? Why do they document things?

 

What would happen if i catalogued all of my possessions? Archive them? Number them? Documented them? Labeled them? Displayed them? What if I made an auction catalogue? What does a quantitative assessment of someone’s belongings do to their existence? What if I were to have an archeological dig of my things? Investigation of myself and my things? Or someone else’s? 

Leanne Shapton recently wrote a book titled: “Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris, Including Books, Street Fashion, and Jewelry”. I have yet to get my hands on it, but I adore the idea.

Things to sleep on. hmmmmmmm

~ by kasey on September 22, 2009.