Conserving Multimedia Art From Artistic, Curatorial, And Historicist Perspectives: Case Study On Teoman Madra Archive

This thesis aims to concretize the historical significance of Teoman Madra in Turkish Media Art by analyzing his works produced between 1960 and 2000, while presenting a case study on the conservation of technological artworks. It addresses the challenges of preserving multimedia works that combine both analog and digital elements, reflecting a shift from traditional conservation methodologies to a more holistic, interdisciplinary approach. The study not only details the methods applied in archiving Madra’s work but also evaluates the evolution of Media Arts in Turkey through his perspective, highlighting his significant influence and positioning within international art discourse. By bringing long-forgotten works to light, it seeks to answer the question, “How did Media Arts evolve in Turkey between the 1960s and 2000s?” This thesis also explores Madra’s career, his self-identification as a Fluxus artist, as well as the archival and curatorial challenges of exhibiting multimedia art, thus uncovering the complexities of conserving and curating technological works. Ultimately, the study aims to revive and contextualize Madra’s forgotten contributions within Turkish Media Art history, offering a comprehensive framework for future archival and exhibition studies.