“Capture and Release of the Chthonic Beasts”: Archaeological Heritage as Digital Commons in Contemporary Art Practice. Various Thoughts on the Occasion of the Artwork ‘Future Bestiary’

This chapter is a formal attempt at an unstructured informal exchange of opin-
ions and thoughts between Marina and Petros on the occasion of Petros’ art
show titled ‘Future Bestiary’. Through this specific case study, the aesthetic,
artistic and ethical impact of contemporary artistic practices that transgress the
traditional notions of originality and authenticity were explored, while ques-
tions about how digital creations are controlled through Copyright Law and the
Archaeological Law and how Intellectual Property is managed were also raised.
The rise of contemporary art practices such as that of Petros’, clearly inspired
by archaeological heritage, produces unprecedented and unusual digital
reconstructions through prompts to reconsider the fundamental structure of
traditional legal systems and move towards an alternative legal framework that
enables creativity in a collaborative fashion.