Time-Based Media Art

It's a portrait image of Urs Fischer from in front and below, so he's looking at his phone. Not yet melted enough to have any dripping wax bits

Urs Fischer, Francesco, 2017, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, Purchased with the assistance of the National Gallery of Australia Gala Fund 2019. © Urs Fischer. Courtesy of the artist and Sadie Coles HQ, London.

Time-based media art describes works of art that are dependent on time, duration, or function. This includes: video, film and audio artworks that have a duration; installation artworks; and artworks that function only for the duration of their time on display, such as computer-based and mechanical works of art.

The wide range of complex technologies used to create works of art like these pose unique challenges as the hardware and software are specific to the technologies available at the time of manufacture. The role of a Time-Based Media Conservator is to assess the long-, medium- and short-term changes that an artwork may undergo because of changing technologies, practices, and environments. At the National Gallery this includes: migrating and digitising audio-visual films and videos; repairing, and organising replacements for mechanical works of art; preparing time-based works of art for display or loan; providing on-going maintenance for complex works of art on display; and undertaking extensive documentation.

Time-Based Media Artworks

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