Curating Degree Zero Archive is a traveling exhibition that presents critical positions from the field of curating. It consists of material (catalogs, articles, videos, CDs, images and websites) relating to the practice of around 60 international curators and curatorial groups. The design of the traveling elements of the archive was created by the Zurich-based design group Elektrosmog. In line with this concept, the material was packed in different, colorful travel bags and provided with oversized labels. The public can open these bags and take out the material. In Basel, where the exhibition began its tour (Jan. 2003), the bags were placed on luggage trolleys distributed throughout the room; in Geneva, they were made accessible on large pedestals in a lounge atmosphere.

The archive is constantly being expanded on its tour, it docks onto the networks of the host institutions, it takes up new positions according to the environment of the respective institution. In this way, the archive avoids reverting to the personal taste of its initiators. Instead, the list of curators presented develops within a logic of networks, friendships and circles of shared interests and discussion contexts. Accordingly, the concept of “critical” curating is not a uniform one. This concept is subject to historical change, just as the field of fine art is subject to constant transformation.

The website curatingdegreezero.org was designed in collaboration with [plug-in], Basel. It functions as an interface, both for visitors to the exhibition and for net visitors. For the public in the exhibition, the website is an indexical tool to show which materials are of interest and where they can be found. The website connects the real space with the virtual space via links to the individual curators. During the tour of the project, the website will be further developed as a research tool for curators, art producers and students with an interest in this particular field.

Concept: Dorothee Richter und Barnaby Drabble

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