Sites of Reproduction. Sculpture and Photography between Knowledge and Practice

The study of tools and technical processes in art is undergoing a paradigmatic shift, with technical art history and media studies offering new perspectives. As attention shifts to the visibility of the use of artistic materials, techniques, and processes in art history, new questions arise about the complex relationships between knowledge and practical application that underlie artworks.

Based on these considerations, the study day will explore the interrelations between sculpture, photography, and technology, focusing on the connection between knowledge and practice. We will examine both the physical and virtual spaces in which reproduction occurs, ranging from studios and workshops to galleries and museums. The emphasis will be on the sites of action, as the studio, photo lab, or workshop – while generally adhering to industry standards – also reflects individual, tailored solutions.

The chronological focus will be on the modern period, particularly since industrialization, when the relationship between art, technology and science was renegotiated within a new field of forces in which aspects of economic and media-immanent competition are central.