Archival Vs. Environmental

One of my first and favorite jobs in my twenties was to establish a museum. Armed with ambition and the internet, I began researching best practices in a field based on conservation and preservation. The goal in physical care for a permanent collection is—at its simplest—to prevent decay. Photographs and paper works must be carefully stored in acid-free paper. The collection must be temperature controlled. Many pieces need protection from the harsh UV light. The archival industry is built around staving off the natural process of decay. Archival is the antithesis of environmental.

Acrylic glass is a beautiful material to me for many reasons. Because it can be cut and shaped, the malleability of the material is unmatched in canvas. And, it is also a plastic.

I had environmental hesitations when I first started experimenting with this material as a surface in 2010, but ultimately let my creative impulse lead me. A decade ago, I’m not sure if there were articles warning of micro-plastics in our oceans—at least not in my awareness.

My foray into jewelry was an attempt to use the material entirely. I cut out my “canvas” and the remainder was a sketchbook for experimentation, later getting processed and shaped into pendants.

As a painting substrate, it lends an incredible depth to my work. I wanted to create paintings that have the presence of an otherworldly portal, an atmosphere. The perfectly smooth, candy-shell finish accomplished exactly that.

As an artist that makes objects that are largely non-utilitarian, and as a human that loves are planet is deeply concerned about the alarming increase of climate change, I am left at a crossroads. In 2010, it felt professional to create work on an inherently archival material. In 2020, it feel egoic—to think that everything I create needed to be preserved “forever”. I am torn between my creative impulse and environmental responsibility. There are plant-based substrates

Going forward, I will only create work on acrylic glass when I have drop from another project or comission. I am clear on this: it feels irresponsible to buy virgin plastic

Maybe this isn’t enough—I don’t know. When it comes to the environment, nothing ever *feels* like quite enough. I’m continuing to research and check-in with my inner compass.

This may shift. I welcome your thoughts.