Watch our documentary short film on the lead-up to Wirtschaftswerte: a conservation history

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During the summer of 2026, S.M.A.K. presents the iconic ‘Wirtschaftswerte’ (1980) by German artist Joseph Beuys (#FromTheCollection). In the run-up to the exhibition, we followed conservators Carla Viana and Claudia Kramer as they explored new approaches to the conservation and restoration of the installation.

How does a museum treat materials such as the original foodstuffs, discoloured packaging, or the butter incorporated into the corners of the plaster block? In this documentary short, Carla and Claudia take us on a journey through their research process, the complex decisions involved, and the unique challenges posed by preserving a work composed of inherently fragile and perishable materials.

Discover more about the exhibition:

3.Jul.26 Category: Collection
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