The archive of Herbert Foundation contains a variety of documents that are linked to the collection: artists’ books, editions, invitation cards for exhibitions, catalogues and publications, posters, magazines, pictures, audio recordings and videos.
Even though printed matter is often situated within the margins of the artists’ practice, their importance should not be underestimated. Just like the actual artworks, documents give expression to their vision and social position. Examples hereof are the Magazine Sculpture of Gilbert & George in Studio International (1970), the books STATEMENTS (1968) by Lawrence Weiner and Reconstructed History (1991) by Mike Kelley, the texts of Daniel Buren and Art & Language or the artists’ books of Marcel Broodthaers and Martin Kippenberger. In relation to the artworks, printed matter offers an essentail deepening the artist’s oeuvre.
Based on this conviction, Annick and Anton Herbert have built an extensive archive, which, within the structure of Herbert Foundation, has the same status as the collection, and this since its start.
M.Broodthaers, La Conquête de l’espace. Atlas à l’usage des artistes et des militaires, Brussels, 1975
Apart from offering a substantive framework to the artworks, the importance of the archive is situated on a broader level as well. Exhibition catalogues, (art)critical publications and magazines such as Studio International, Avalanche or Interfunktionen, provide the possibility to gain insight into the social and artistic context around the years 1960 until 2000, which surpass the boundaries of the Herbert collection. The evolution of the art market, the relationship between the private and public domain or the practice of museums, can be reflected upon from a broader perspective via archival documents.
To conclude, the archive also functions as the memory of the collection and its realisation. The documents emphasise the coherence of the Collection as a subjective whole and reflect the encounters, discussions, choices and considerations of the collectors.
Collection Imaginaire
Even artists whose work is not included in the collection, such as Bas Jan Ader, Dieter Roth, Andy Warhol, James Lee Byars, Günter Brus, Robert Smithson and Richard Prince, are represented through printed matter. In this way, the archive completes the Collection Imaginaire or the ‘utopian collection’ envisioned by the collectors. It includes artists who hold on an important position within their intellectial and artistic frame of reference. This way, the ‘Collection Imaginaire’ offers a broader perspective on a generation of artsists that extend beyond the collection itself.
The archive of Herbert Foundation, Raas van Gaverestraat, 2005
Research
Within the framework of specific projects, researchers can make an appointment to consult a selection of documents from the Archive. A request can be submitted to Mo Van Acker (mo.vanacker@herbertfoundation.org)
Events
To underline the value and relevance of documents, Herbert Foundation regularly organises events that make the Archive accessible to the public and reflect on the content and wealth of these sources. These activities contain, among others, Master Classes, readings, film screenings, and special tours.
An overview of upcoming and past events can be found on the website under Events.