I propose the building of a ‘museum collection’ that consists entirely of audio-descriptions of artworks, which can be used as a resource to curate exhibitions containing no objects. The collection will hold no visual/material forms at all (writing included), its artefacts being audio recordings of existing historical/contemporary artworks being described by individuals who have been invited to contribute.

The proposal contends that how a work is described can be thought as a critical, political, and social action, whilst remaining a practical necessity for those with partial or no sight. It necessitates a set of decisions about what information/language is foregrounded/privileged, or considered ‘foundational’; and reveals structures of power and assumptions of knowledge/experience.

This symposium paper was a proposal to develop a new 'museum' of the ekphrastic. It was presented at the symposium, "Ek" (organised by Leo Bussi), as a means to test its potentiality amongst a group of 21 other speakers who were all presenting papers on ekphrasis. It accompanied an exhibition of the same name (curated by Gabriella Day) containing 11 artists, which dealt with similar themes.
The paper mused on why such a museum is necessary, how it might function as a critical institution, what the practical aspects of its existence might constitute, what kinds of artefact it would 'collect', and to what uses its 'collection' could be put.
Both the exhibition and the symposium were open to the public.