Joseph Beuys | Wirtschaftswerte: Conservation history of an iconic ensemble of perishable goods

Wirtschaftswerte (or ‘Economic Values’) comprises metal shelving units with displays of food products from former East Germany, 19th-century paintings, and a block of plaster. The installation confronts us with the division that existed – at the time the work was made – between communist East Germany and capitalist West Germany.

Conserving the work’s perishable goods presents a significant challenge. The exhibition reveals the decades of research behind the various conservation strategies. How does a museum treat materials such as the original foodstuffs, discoloured packaging, or the butter incorporated into the corners of the plaster block? An overview of past and present treatments demonstrates how conservation approaches have evolved over time, from historic interventions to current methodologies for the preservation and restoration of modern materials.

The presentation coincides with the 31st IIC conference (The International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works), which takes place in Ghent from 8 to 11 September 2026. The central theme of the conference is ‘Conserving Ensembles’.