In the realm of artistic research and production, this case study explores the delicate balance between creation and destruction, progress and preservation.

Our research complicates cultural production from a collection of static artefacts to dynamic, evolving organisms intertwined with the passage of time, the materiality of existence, the inevitability of decay, and our interconnectedness with all beings on Earth.

A freeport is a zone of permanent transit where goods, including artworks, exist in a state of suspended animation, exempt from customs duties and scrutiny. This liminal space becomes a metaphor for the complexities of cultural preservation, where objects are both treasured and commodified, their value fluctuating in the global marketplace.

This research explores the invisibility of artworks languishing in storage, questioning the value we assign to objects that are hidden from view. It proposes a shift from passive storage to active engagement, where the process of decay is not simply accepted, but actively confronted through acts of repair, restoration, redistribution and revival.

We invite consideration on the complex relationships between humans, objects, and the environment, highlighting the fragility of cultural heritage in the face of decay and neglect. It calls for a renewed commitment to cultural conservation, recognising that the stories and traditions embedded in objects are essential to our collective identity and well-being.