How to future proof digital works of art?

Avco has worked on computer editions for artist Michael Craig-Martin since 2002, writing software to control the display of his drawings.

In February 2011 Tate Conservation invited us to attend a symposium on how best to future proof digital works of art. We were consulted with regard to the works in the Tate Collection by Michael Craig-Martin 'Becoming, 2003' and 'Things Change', 2007. Daniel Jackson from Avco wrote the original software and Avco was commissioned in 2010 by the Tate to migrate the sofware as part of the artworks' digital conservation.

Thinking about how digital works of art exist in the world is of real interest to us, we have a great deal to say on the matter if you ever wish to hear our thoughts.

Photo by Daniel Jackson - Michael Craig-Martin, 'Things Change' 2007, installation for Tokyo New Art Centre, Japan