Artifacts was founded by Steven Watson, a cultural historian renowned for his documentation of artistic and cultural movements in the 20th century. Watson’s vision for Artifacts was born out of a lifelong dedication to capturing the stories of artists, thinkers, and cultural disruptors. Over more than 40 years, Watson compiled a unique archive of interviews and footage, representing some of the most groundbreaking moments in modern cultural history.
The genesis of Artifacts began in 1981 with the publication of Artifacts at the End of a Decade, a landmark project conceived by Watson and Carol Venezia. This boxed multiple featured the work of 44 artists from New York City’s 1970s avant-garde scene. Artifacts at the End of a Decade has been celebrated as an unprecedented artistic archive and is part of the permanent collections of esteemed institutions like MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and the Tate Modern.
Developed in conjunction with filmmaker and creative director William Markarian-Martin, Artifacts’ online platform launched to bring these stories to a broader audience, preserving them digitally and ensuring they are available to all. This approach reflects Artifacts’ commitment to accessibility, allowing the legacy of avant-garde and underground movements to be explored and understood in new and meaningful ways.
Learn more at Artifacts.movie.
