Mobile, ca. 20th century
Unknown maker
Metal with pigment, 17 1/2 × 8 7/8 × 12 1/8 in. (44.5 × 22.5 × 31 cm)
Courtesy the Conservation Center, Institute of Fine Arts, New York University, New York City

As a kinetic sculpture, this mobile was designed to move, but it can no longer perform as intended: metal corrosion and significant physical deformation have altered its weight and balance. Physically addressing these issues is challenging and risks further, irreversible damage.

Conservator Sasha Arden sought to explore the potential of 3D modeling as a preservation tool, as shown in the accompanying video. They re-created the mobile in virtual space in order to explore the possibilities of its movement and orientation, and in so doing, provided options for conserving it virtually. What is the role of the static, preserved, physical original alongside the 3D model? Which bears conservation, and what kind of conservation, in the future?