Database workflow for assessing the condition of net art by comparing variants
This database is meant to assist in the condition assessment workflow for net artworks whose existing variants no longer perform all of the work’s features. To assess the condition of components that are unobservable, reference variants need to be built for comparison that do perform these features.
The workflow is divided into three stages. In the first stage Evidence is gathered from sources such as documentation, literature, data analysis, artist interviews, and existing variant performances. This evidence informs the construction of new variants that perform features that are not performing in the existing variants.
In the second stage reference variants are built based on the initial research evidence. In the third stage, existing and newly built reference variants of the work are tested and compared. Observations made while comparing variants’ performances are noted in the Observations table. Questions, Evidence, Causes and Preservation Actions are noted in their respective tables and linked in their respective Observation pages. Comparing Observations in different variants will ideally lead to known Causes and possible Preservation Actions.
The workflow stages are meant to work fluidly since new questions and evidence may arise during the process. For example, a reference variant built based on initial evidence may undergo further changes after new evidence is gathered. These changes need to be recorded in the process as well.
Expected performances of the artwork based on available information from sources such as data analysis, documentation, literature, existing variants’ performances, and interviews are listed in the following tables. The information collected can inform the creation of new reference variants for comparison in workflow_02.
Build new variants based on initial evidence of desired performances to compare existing variants to in workflow_03.
Make comparisons and observations to determine desired performances.
*For the Bodies© INCorporated UCLA variant, an interactive site map was made that links to each page individually. The site map is especially helpful for comparing the UCLA variant since it clearly shows where errors are occurring and provides links to each page. ‣