The Afterlife of Eva Hesse’s “Expanded Expansion”

This short Guggenheim-produced documentary covers the extensive research, dialogue, and complex conservation treatment that was carried out to conserve Eva Hesse’s "Expanded Expansion," bringing it out of storage after nearly thirty-five years.
Despite material changes, "Expanded Expansion" still holds tremendous power and is a testament to a pioneering artist who, despite her untimely death in 1970, left a body of work that pushed sculpture beyond Minimalism and Abstract Expressionism, and has deeply influenced the work of younger artists.
Curated by Lena Stringari, Deputy Director and Andrew W. Mellon Chief Conservator, with the collaboration of Richard Armstrong, Director, and Esther Chao, Objects Conservator, "Eva Hesse: Expanded Expansion" is on view through October 17, 2022.
Learn more at guggenheim.org/exhibition/eva-hesse-expanded-expansion.

[@thomheil]

The piece is like a stand-in for the artist. It's gotten to age and stiffen over time in a way that Hesse was denied by her early death. I love the idea of her originals being shown alongside recreations, like snapshots through time.

[@ed_leonardi]

So beautiful and so important. Thank you Guggenhein!

[@Michael62nyc]

Wonderful. Thank you Guggenheim Museum.

[@alicemorrison1518]

What a sad way to find out Doug Johns passed away this year. RIP.

[@seriousros7280]

Did Eva wear rubber gloves? A mask? I think she would laugh. How times change similar to the materials in the artwork.

[@DanSwanson2070]

Conservation is fine, but considering the piece in itself is an IDEA, and also considering other artists, minimalism artists in particular had pieces fabricated, I don’t see anything wrong with re-fabricating a new version of this piece with modern materials to achieve the look, gravity and pliability that Eva intended. That dried-out, ridged thing that this piece has turned into might be original, but it’s not what the artist intended, and I’m not sure the general museum goer will understand this.

[@maritzanc]

Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this.