The Art of Revealing: Preservation

The surprising and unusual nature of contemporary art pushes back the boundaries of traditional media. The MAC collection reflects this boldness and includes many works with technological components, whose preservation pose unique challenges.

Their materiality, evolving technology, and conceptual nature expose them to increased risks of obsolescence and deterioration, compromising their integrity and requiring innovative solutions to guarantee their durability and re-exhibition. To meet these challenges and ensure the longevity of these unique works, we need your support.

I give for preservation

Preserving works with technological components

The Musée is focusing its efforts on implementing sustainable solutions to these challenges. By developing specific protocols for integrating new works vulnerable to technological obsolescence, establishing management plans to ensure the longevity of works already in the collection, and collaborating with artists to document their vision, the Musée can anticipate the needs related to the re-exhibition and conservation of their works.

Thanks to the support of Behavior Interactive, ambitious projects for the preservation of works with technological components are underway at the MAC. Nevertheless, the needs are great, and these efforts require continuous resources to ensure the best practices and meet the challenges of preserving technological works.

Discover two Examples of Works with Technological Components

Discover the Floralia Artwork

By Sabrina Ratté

Acquired in 2021 and recently presented at the MAC, Floralia evokes a futuristic archive where plants that have now disappeared are preserved in digital form. Comprising printed wallpaper and four video monitors, the installation explores the memory of the organic world and the precariousness of ecosystems.

Technological conservation requires a proactive approach to the rapid evolution of technologies, which is essential for the preservation of our heritage. A MAC team monitors the components of such works, thereby guaranteeing their integrity and their transmission to future generations.

Ratté, Sabrina, Floralia, 2021, 4 vidéogrammes couleur haute définition, projection en boucle, son et papier peint, 1/3 Dimensions variables, Achat, grâce au Symposium des collectionneurs 2021, Banque Nationale Gestion privée 1859, et avec l’appui de BMO Banque de Montréal, Diane Boissonneault, Antoine Chagnon, Louise Chagnon Bucheit, Sanimax, Guthrie Stewart, M. Vincent Chiara et Mme Stella Vassallo et la Famille Yoon Shareck, Collection Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, © Sabrina Ratté Photo (vue de salle) : Greg Carideo, avec l’aimable permission de la Galerie Arsenal Contemporary Art, New York / Photos (arrêt sur image) : MAC

Discover the Nightlife Artwork

By Cyprien Gaillard

Acquired in 2018, Nightlife is an immersive 3D installation that takes viewers on a nocturnal journey between Cleveland, Berlin, and Los Angeles. The work explores the impact of human interaction on the environment through hypnotic images and a haunting soundtrack.

Its preservation poses challenges linked to the durability of the Dolby license, a digital key that ensures that the film is broadcast with optimal sound and image. This license is stored on a server but depends on a security battery that must be regularly recharged. When the battery ran out during storage, the license became inactive, preventing the film from being shown. A protocol was put in place to keep the server powered up and replace its components with more durable technologies, guaranteeing its preservation. A specialized team devoted many hours to the technical management and documentary follow-up of the work.

Gaillard, Cyprien, Nightlife, 2015, Film 3D format DCI DCP, couleur, 14 min 56 s, son, 5/5, Dimensions variables, Collection Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, © Cyprien Gaillard, Photo : avec l’aimable permission de la Gladstone Gallery, Photo : Vue de l’exposition Cyprien Gaillard : Nightlife présentée par le Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal à la Cinémathèque québécoise du 7 septembre au 5 novembre 2023. Photo : MAC / Photos (arrêt sur image) : avec l’aimable permission de l’artiste et de la Sprüth Magers

The Art of Giving

Your support is essential. Your donations make it possible to continue this long-term work, which is essential to ensure the preservation and longevity of technological works. The MAC will thus be able to strengthen its actions and continue to position itself among the most advanced institutions in terms of collecting, conserving, and re-exhibiting works with technological components.

Support preservation to reveal works with technological components