Due to various reasons, artworks in museums sometimes suffer damage—from vandalism, fires, or burglaries. Thanks to restorers, visitors can see the works in the galleries again, but they often don’t consider the fate of the painting they are looking at. This project aims not just to provide the context of the artwork and introduce the viewer to its history, but also to remind people of the architectural heritage that often fails to be saved.
The project is conceived as an effort to address two issues:
- To expand the context that viewers have regarding the works and the museum. We believe it is important and engaging not only to display works in the galleries but also to tell their stories.
- The project not only reminds us of the fragility of objects in museum collections but also draws a parallel with heritage that is being destroyed more and more every day and often lacks support—this refers to architecture, often in regional areas, about which the viewer does not think because they do not come into contact with it. The project places this heritage alongside famous masterpieces. A percentage of sales can contribute to the conservation and restoration of this architecture.
The core creative idea is to create museum-themed merchandise packages sold in souvenir shops. These will display only the outlines of famous works against a white background—to emphasize their fragility and show that they could disappear any day. Below the image, a story related to the artwork will be told, along with a description of how it was saved. Other packages may share this visual style, but they will feature the outlines and a narrative connected to one of the crumbling monuments of architectural heritage. These packages are designed for the general public, integrating into the urban context to offer a constant reminder of the issue.
In the future, support could be generated through souvenir products—porcelain tableware and ornaments that reflect fragility and feature the outlines of the artwork. This type of merchandise would cater to a more deeply engaged viewer. Furthermore, it could address the issue of homogenous souvenirs by moving beyond kitsch.
Potential partners for the special project could include museums and architectural restoration foundations.
The following materials were used in the project:
- https://arch-conservation.ru/tatevo
- https://arch-conservation.ru/neronovo
- https://www.theartnewspaper.ru/posts/7784/
- https://www.hermitagemuseum.org/explore/history/Danae?lng=ru
