The HADC approach to digitization challenges conventional standards in art history and museum practice by attending closely to the traditions and contexts of Haitian art. Our goal is to build an accessible database that connects collections and is shaped by Haiti, its diaspora, and the Haitian Kreyòl language. Traditional “Western” approaches to cataloging and exhibition often strip out or fragment essential aspects of Haitian visual culture. Conventional metadata systems, designed to standardize information, typically record only the minimum details. As a result, information about Haitian artworks is frequently incomplete; depending on how a work was acquired, even basic facts such as the artist’s name or the proper title may be listed as “unknown.” In many cases, the only available information comes from the owner. Truly understanding Haitian visual art requires moving beyond the limits of provenance and standard exhibition practices.
HADC introduces three major areas of focus to more accurately collect, document, and present Haitian visual art. First, we are developing a consistent set of photographic standards that can better capture the nuances of different art forms and their techniques. Second, we are expanding existing data fields and schema to accommodate details often omitted about the artist, the object, and the work’s cultural significance. Third, we are integrating Kreyòl terminology to recover meanings lost in translation and to communicate more effectively across diverse audiences.
To ensure clarity and consistency, we have created a set of foundational guidelines that outline our best-practice models and ethical standards. These guidelines will be made transparent and publicly available through our online platform.
