How to Introspect an Institution

Introspecting Institutions is a website project that is based on the systematization of index cards. It uses keywords to classify objects in the Dresden State Art Collections (Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, SKD). Starting from these keywords, questions arise that allow a speaking back to the classification criteria. In the sense of an introspection, the processes, ways of communication, and systematization with which a transcultural exhibition practice becomes possible in the first place, can be questioned with regard to their own position within a system. 

The basis for this project are evaluations of the topics discussed within the Transcultural Academy as well as theoretical research and conversations with employees of the SKD. The infrapolitical questions developed out of this interaction. They are linked to keywords from the in-house collection. The questions are elaborated and listed among each other in the sense of index cards in short paragraphs. Clicking on a keyword in the menu bar at the top, as well as within the individual paragraphs, rearranges the index cards. A question related to the selected keyword is always displayed in the center. The keywords are marked by symbols. With each further selection of a keyword, the page jumps to a new card of the same symbol. The position of the card in the system is determined randomly.

The conception of the website is aligned with the SKD, but is to be understood as exemplary. Its orientation subverts hierarchies in readings of institutional classification processes. The constellation of the text sections is changed continuously, resulting in different references, readings, and further questions regarding institutional infrastructures in general. Changing orders emerge that are always in motion and imply new potential connections.

The website is linked to so-called anchor points in the SKD’s institutions: stickers with QR codes and minimal descriptions of the project are placed at individual locations that stand for certain infrastructural, everyday modes of use – such as the café, art library, or Palais garden – in order to bring the website as a platform to life and connect it physically.