This article is dedicated to art practices that, in a variety of ways, mobilize the model of the archive. These "archival artworks" probe the possibilities of what art is and can do. But also the other way around, they explore and challenge the principles on which archival organizations are built. Such an exploration of the archive through art is timely. The reason for the current relevance of an exploration of "archival thinking" is a generally cultural one. Whereas the role of narrative is declining, the role of archive, in a variety of forms, is increasing. What is argued is that the archive has become the dominant symbolic and cultural form. The work of two artists will be discussed as prime examples of such archival art practices: First the installation "Partners: the Teddy Bear Project", by the Canadian artist Ydessa Hendeles; Next, the archival installations by the German artist Hanne Darboven.
archive, archival art practice, Hanne Darboven, Ydessa Hendeles, narrative, teddy bears, conceptual art
