Conservation and heritage as future-making

Holtorf, Cornelius (2018) Conservation and heritage as future-making. ICOMOS University Forum . pp. 1-13. ISSN 2616-6968 [Article]

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Abstract (in English)

The logic of the conservation paradigm ignores that natural and historic processes of change and transformation are the origin and driver of human civilization and heritage on Earth, not their enemy. As all human actions necessarily contribute to the human legacy, even the destruction of parts of the existing cultural heritage contributes to contemporary future-making and will inform future generations’ understandings of their past. The future should be seen as a process of continuing transformation and change which we cannot always steer but to which we can adapt; it does not only harbour risks but also opportunities. The most important question is not how much, and which heritage of any one period may or may not survive into the future but what legacy, which we construct and leave behind, will come to benefit future generations the most. Heritage conservation and any decisions about reconstruction must be informed by the question of what we want the heritage to do in, and to society in order to create specific benefits for present and future generations.

Item Type: Article
Authors:
Authors
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Holtorf, Cornelius
UNSPECIFIED
Languages: English
Keywords: conservation paradigm; management of cultural heritage; heritage at risk; destruction of cultural heritage; historical change; reconstruction; theory of conservation; theory of restoration; presentation; Cultural significance; Social aspects; Values
Subjects: A. THEORETICAL AND GENERAL ASPECTS > 12. Theory of conservation
A. THEORETICAL AND GENERAL ASPECTS > 12. Theory of restoration
E.CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION > 02. Theory and doctrinal texts
E.CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION > 09. Social and economic aspects of conservation
L.PRESENTATION AND TRANSMISSION OF HERITAGE > 03. Presentation
L.PRESENTATION AND TRANSMISSION OF HERITAGE > 07. Education
National Committee: ICOMOS International
ISSN: 2616-6968
Depositing User: ICOMOS DocCentre
Date Deposited: 12 Mar 2018 15:48
Last Modified: 16 Apr 2018 08:42
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URI: https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/1857

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