Time Based Media Components

BMA Time-Based Media Art Cataloguing and Registration Guide

Component types

Copies (instead of “part of object”), accessories, and equipment

Component numbering format:

Copies

Preservation format = PRF: Primary copies or obsolete formats

Access format = ASF: Copies for viewing, like mp4s etc

Exhibition format = EXF: Exhibition quality copies

Other format = HRF: Related media provided by artist

Component name: “Exhibition format” etc

Physical description: describe media type and physical attributes to identify object

New object records for Equipment, need new classification, object type, and dept.

Purpose of creating equipment records is to tidy not overwhelm the object components record.

All equipment parts are listed under one equipment record dedicated to one artwork. Non-dedicated equipment is only referenced as a need for a generic type of equipment and doesn’t represent an actual object.

Equipment = EQP

Unique: (dedicated) created or significantly modified by the artist

Dedicated: for use with one artwork

Historic: outdated or obsolete for reference

Non-dedicated: stock equipment

Component name: “Unique equipment” or “Dedicated equipment”

Physical Description: describe equipment model and physical attributes to identify object

Non-dedicated stock equipment will be linked to an object as a component but will only serve as a reference to required equipment, rather than tracking the physical equipment. This distinction will allow us to make note of what equipment is needed to for display but is shared by multiple artworks.

Stock equipment inventory is managed independently by the exhibition team.

Accessories = ACC

Storage containers and ephemera created by the artist, received with acquisition

Component name: e.g. Ephemera, or Custom housing

Physical description: description of object