Inherent Vice | Cohen Commons

January 31 – February 14
Reception: Thursday, January 31 from 5-7pm
Cohen Commons

Inherent vice is a term used in art conservation to describe the tendency in an object or material to deteriorate or self-destruct because of poor intrinsic characteristics, such as weak or unstable materials. Conservators must constantly work against inherent vice in order to rectify the effects of past damage while also preventing future deterioration. But, as Hanna Hölling notes, “conservation is always interpretation” and all approaches change and affect the original object. In this exhibition, students in VAH2292 have responded to talks given by three scholars and conservators who work to preserve, repair, and restore material artefacts.