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Articles

No. 11 (2021): ARTis ON 11 - Excess and Insufficiency of Video. Present Issues

Body Tracks – Conservation Problems in a film by Ana Mendieta

DOI
https://doi.org/10.37935/iha.aon.2021.0007
Submitted
August 3, 2022
Published
2021-12-29

Abstract

 This text analyses the ‘remasterization’ process for Ana Mendieta’s work “Untitled (Blood Sign #2 / Body Tracks)”, 1974, submitted by her Estate in 2017. With the appeal of 2K high-definition, the digitization of the original medium (Super-8) was presented to Museu Coleção Berardo, in replacement of the previous Digital Betacam and DVD formats. Firstly, the utility of the digitization is assessed, followed by the evaluation of its validity as an analog to digital transfer. Comparing the versions, it is concluded that the transfer of the original medium – small analog format - to a high-definition one, results in ontological and technical problems that may attest the inadequacy of the process. Simultaneously, given that the original technology is obsolete, digitization enables its preservation and exhibition more easily. It is intended to document this reflection with concepts of authenticity and their applications in new media conservation.

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