Between curator and the artist: a problem of authority

Since 1998, when Michael Brenson’s famous article ‘The curator’s moment’ was published, the role of the curator as a creator of the meaning of art has been increasing. The Museum of Modern Art in Warsaw is a small, young institution which is currently building its own collection. Some of the acquisitions are made following an exhibition is shown, while others are specially created for a show. Often exhibitions represent a curator’s personal choice. Objects may also be part of the artist’s archive, a prop from a performance or a material product of an artistic action. The problem starts when such objects enter a public collection as works of art. From the point of view of a conservator of modern and contemporary art, the artist’s opinion has always been viewed as more important than any other consideration in terms of care, conservation and restoration but in many cases, artists are not interested in participating in the ‘museum’ life of their works. This paper discusses whether the curator should become the authority in such a case.