Wissen

The ZKM collection and archives are unique in their specific focus on the electronic and intermedia art of the 20th and 21st century. To meet the challenges of maintaining, researching and communicating these artworks, the »Wissen – Collection, Archives & Research« department was set up in 2017.

The new department brings together the major parts of the collection – contemporary art, media art and video art – which, over previous decades, had been managed by a number of different departments. At the same time, work started on the ZKM | Archive, which manages both the institutional archive and the archives of artists and theoreticians that ZKM has acquired over the years. One of the short-term objectives is to create the best possible conditions for working with the artworks and documents – for both researchers and members of the public, both on-site and online.

The Collection, Archives, Library, and the Laboratory for Antiquated Video Systems together have the wide-ranging and highly specialist expertise needed for a technical and professional approach to the objects in the ZKM Collection and Archives. This expertise is enhanced by close cooperation with restorers and technicians from the »Museum and Exhibition Technical Services« department.