Daniela Agostinho presents her research on the politics of digital collections and the data afterlife of cultural objects, in a conversation with  Annet Dekker (University of Amsterdam & CSNI), and artist Ofri Cnaani. The conversation is moderated by Prof. Joasia Krysa (LJMU) in the event Leaking Collections, organised by Exhibition Research Lab at Liverpool School of Art and Design, Liverpool John Moores University, as part of The CONTACTLESS CONDITION exhibition by Ofri Cnaani. The event takes place online on the 6th November.

Inspired by the works in the exhibition, the conversation will address the politics of digital collections and the data afterlife of cultural objects. In recent years, many museums have incorporated data-driven tools into their digital collections. However, just as the drive to archive information has historically been fundamental to the exercise of colonial power, the digitization and datafication of collections are far from a purely technical endeavour. Recent research has shown that data infrastructures often perpetuate the colonial taxonomic gaze, transforming it into a symbolic calculus. This event will explore possible critical methodologies required to disseminate cultural knowledge while simultaneously protecting it, especially in the context of ongoing colonial power dynamics. The discussion will also consider how practice-based methodologies can trouble the afterlife of cultural data, and reimagine how we engage with and interpret these collections.

Find more information about this event here.