Herausforderungen beim Erhalt Software-basierter Kunst: ZKM Karlsruhe

The preservation of software-based art presents significant technical and logistical challenges due to the inherent fragility of electronic hardware and the rapid obsolescence of digital technologies. The ZKM | Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe, which houses one of the world’s largest collections of media and digital art, emphasizes that these works cannot be preserved through passive storage alone. Instead, the institution must engage in active maintenance, repair, and emulation to ensure the continued functionality of approximately 220 software-based works within its broader collection of 10,000 items.

The primary threats to these artworks include hardware failure due to natural aging, component degradation, and the incompatibility of legacy systems with modern exhibition environments. To address these issues, the ZKM employs a conservation strategy that prioritizes maintaining the original socio-technological ecosystem. When original parts are unavailable, conservators utilize methods such as hardware emulation, the integration of hybrid systems, and the "Frankenstein" approach—combining disparate historical components to restore functionality. In cases where hardware replacement is unavoidable, the institution performs minimal code modifications to ensure software compatibility, while meticulously documenting the original system’s logic to preserve its historical integrity.

This work relies on a specialized team of restorers, computer scientists, and electrical engineers who leverage technical knowledge and collaboration with retro-gaming communities. By documenting the repair process and the physical decay of components—such as leaking batteries, burnt I/O cards, and unreadable storage media—the ZKM highlights the necessity of proactive intervention. Ultimately, the institution functions as a critical center for media art restoration, balancing the need for technical innovation with the imperative to safeguard the historical and aesthetic authenticity of digital art for future generations.