Cayetano Ferrer's 'Object Prosthetics' Examines Museum Fictions

Cayetano Ferrer, an artist from Los Angeles, delves into the connections between history, memory, and design through his long-term initiative, Object Prosthetics. This project, a collaboration with the Art + Technology Lab, focuses on LACMA's architectural archive and spans from 2015 to its conclusion at Commonwealth and Council in 2026. Utilizing both 2D and 3D scanning techniques, Ferrer crafts prosthetics that address themes of absence and fragmented geometry, influenced by the idea of "exhibition prosthetics" introduced by his mentor, Joseph Grigely. He has also employed a diamond wire saw to extract pieces from the Ahmanson Building prior to its demolition. Ferrer’s work critiques museum infrastructure, likening his methodology to Saidiya Hartman's critical fabulation. In pieces like Memory Screen (2019), he engages in speculative restoration, merging fragments without adhering to established forms. For Extraction, he integrates spolia—repurposing old architectural stone into contemporary designs—while applying the Venice Charter's principles of contrasting infills. He challenges the notion of preservation, seeking to reveal its complexities and reflect the extractive nature of encyclopedic museums, famously stating, "I make art to remember."