Still Life, Ecologies of the Modern Imagination at the Art Museum

Fernando Domínguez Rubio's "Still Life" offers a detailed ethnographic study of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, focusing on the behind-the-scenes work involved in preserving artworks.

The book explores the complex labor and technological infrastructure required to maintain artworks, revealing the immense effort needed to counteract entropy and maintain the illusion of stillness.

Domínguez Rubio examines the various roles within the museum, from conservators and engineers to guards and couriers, highlighting the intricate processes of care and preservation.

The author challenges traditional views of museums by emphasizing the significance of storage and maintenance, arguing that these often-overlooked aspects are crucial to understanding the institution's function and power dynamics.

Ultimately, "Still Life" provides a critical perspective on the museum's role in shaping our understanding of art and its relationship to the broader environment.