HANDLING WHITE CUBE

Abstract

The brave and ‘difficult’ three-dimensional artworks at White Cube, a gallery of contemporary art in London, require careful maintenance in accordance with the intention of the artist, to preserve their function of communicating vital ideas. Some traditional approaches and methods of preservation are not appropriate in this context. How can artworks which are complex ‘machines’ be packed transported, installed and maintained? How can the artist’s intention and therefore the communication of the meaning of a piece be preserved for future generations? This paper introduces White Cube’s methods and archive through examination of the works of four White Cube artists: Antony Gormley, Marc Quinn, Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin.