The Norman Foster Foundation has released a new series of 14 masterclasses, titled “On Archives,” a follow-up of the “On Cities” series released in the Spring. 

This edition explores the fundamental aspects related to architectural archives and libraries around the world, with episodes featuring leading experts in the fields of archiving, architecture, art, design, and heritage management. The video series supports the Foundation's educational initiative that aims to promote cross-disciplinary and trans-geographic exchange. 

“While archives have, for centuries, been the core of cultural, historic and artistic institutions, these online lessons also acknowledge the relevance of archives for the performance of other disciplines, such as architecture and design, and for the future of society,” reads the Foundation’s announcement.

"On Archives" Masterclass Series, extended trailer. Video: Norman Foster Foundation on YouTube.

“From the Canadian Centre of Architecture (CCA) to the Vatican Museums, speakers will touch on key themes such as the materiality of archives, the concept of interarchive, the challenges of digitising archive materials, new preservation methods based on a dynamic order and how to manage special collections, among other topics.”

In addition to an introductory masterclass given by Norman Foster, subsequent contributing speakers are as follows: 

• Giovanna Borasi (Director of the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA))

• Sol Camacho (Director of Instituto Lina Bo e P.M. Bardi – Casa de Vidro)

• Estrella de Diego (Academician at Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando)

• Michelle Elligott (Chief of Archives, Library and Research Collections at MoMA)

• Patricia Hartmann (Director of the Sitterwerk Foundation)

• Charles Hind (Chief Curator & HJ. Heinz Head of Drawings at the British Architectural Library, RIBA)

• Barbara Jatta (Director of the Vatican Museums)

• Valerie Maasburg (Director of the Bookshop and Artist’s Books Collection at Ivorypress)

• Hans Ulrich Obrist (Artistic Director at Serpentine Galleries)

• Mar Perez Morillo (Head of Division of Digital Processes and Services at Biblioteca Nacional de España)

• Marcia Reed (Chief Curator, Associate Director and Head of Special Collections and Exhibitions at the Getty Research Institute)

• Mathias Schwartz-Clauss (Director at Domaine de Boisbuchet)

• Bill Sherman (Director of The Warburg Institute)

“On Archives” will soon be followed by the release of the “Future Cities” masterclass series, which will feature ten leading voices and visionaries. 

“On Archives” is available on Youtube here.