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Distributed curation and global to local methodology
The document discusses a distributed curation methodology that integrates global and local perspectives, emphasizing the transformation of visitors into active members through small affinity groups and collective knowledge systems. It highlights the success of global initiatives that resulted in over 1,000 sites in 70 countries, showcasing locally adapted collections while adhering to ethical uses of materials. Additionally, it reflects on past case studies and emphasizes the need for continued efforts in locality and community engagement within cultural projects.
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Distributed curation and global to local methodology
- 1. Distributed curation andglobal 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: FromEarth 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 -Globalplatform, 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: SightLines, 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 tryagain? “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
Editor's Notes
- #2 (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.
- #3 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.
- #4 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
- #5 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
- #6 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.
- #7 Shiraz, Iran– community center
- #8 Paysandú, Uruguay – schools/squares, travelling tent
- #9 Moscow, Russia – gallery space
- #10 Ljubljana, Slovenia – public park
- #11 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.
- #12 More information at http://www.fromearthtotheuniverse.org/ And http://chandra.si.edu/art/xray/