Survey of absence. The use of photographic data for the survey of temporary art exhibitions.

Abstract

Modern Art Exhibitions succeeded in conveying long-lasting ideas and meanings despite their ephemeral nature. Art history and Museum studies recently started to focus on the Exhibition as a medium, requiring precise graphic reconstructions of exhibit designs for critical and theoretical purposes. Exhibitions were rarely designed through graphic devices such as the project; they were usually a result of improvisation processes. In this sense, photographs are the only documents for graphic reconstructions of temporary art spaces. Nevertheless, the photographic datum has been over-edited in its span of life for more than one reason: it requires a critical approach to be used as a source. The use of digital tools for photography can lead to satisfactory results when applied to humanities.