Breaching the Document/Artwork Divide

Over the past century, artists around the globe increasingly have turned to hybrid art practices, incorporating elements of action with static forms. Looking at a variety of works by contemporary artists, this article reviews the institutional factors that affect the cataloging of hybrid artwork, from the structure of collecting departments to the theories behind database management. Two standards for the management of cultural databases—FRBR and CDWA—are explored for potential non-hierarchical approaches to registration and records.