An Exploratory Study on Curating Diamond Model: Application of the remodified cultural diamond model

This work conducts an in-depth exploration of the abstraction and uncertainty of the concept of ‘curating’ and proposes a ‘curating diamond’ model. The model is built on Howard Becker's ‘art worlds’ theory and Victoria Alexander's ‘revised cultural diamond’ model. This paper is an attempt to reconsider the role of curating in art production, distribution and consumption from a sociological perspective. This study pointed out that curating has changed beyond its traditional role to a cultural production methodology between disciplines. Curating not just promotes the popularization and democratization of art, but also continuously expands as an important medium/mediator for art and social dialogue. Through an analysis of the collaborative network between curators and artists, this study explored how curating mediates between and among works of art, spectators, and society. In addition, we propose to reflect on the limitations of the ‘curating diamond’ model, emphasizing the need for the future research in curation to pay attention to specific curating practices under socio-cultural contexts. This study presents a new perspective on the multi-dimensionality of curating and provides references for understanding the complexity and socio-cultural implications of curating.