Use and Reuse of the Digital Archive

by John Potts (Editor)

This book examines the use and re-use of digital archives in a unique manner, by combining theoretical and practical approaches to the contemporary digital archive. The book brings together a range of writers - specialising in media and cultural studies, contemporary art and art history, digital and networked culture, library and museum studies - to explore the cultural impact of digital archives. Several of the essays describe the process of constructing a digital archive as a specific case study – in digitising a physical archive and designing a searchable digital database as the core of the digital archive. Other chapters explore the cultural significance of digital archives in more general theoretical terms. These considerations the specific properties of the digital archive; its similarities and differences to the traditional paper-based archive; the ethical decisions made in the design of an archive; and the potential for creative re-use of online archived materials.

178 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2021

Reviews

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding book. It almost swerves into case studies that may not be generalizable, but through brilliant and considered editing by John Potts, the book's argument aligns and dialogues with both flair and interest.

The introduction and short conclusion by Potts are excellent. There are two stand out chapters. Julia Mant's "The romance of form" is remarkable, probing our focus on the physical, the tangible and the fragile. Nicole Anderson's "Hauntology: the archive as past and future” activates the difficult project of ascertaining what is 'representable' and how we - as scholars and citizens - curate ourselves and others.

In the discussion of GLAMs, the 'A' - archives - is under-represented and discussed. This fine book returns the 'A' with power, passion and clarity.