Embodiment unbound Moving beyond divisions in the understanding and practice of heritage conservation

Introduction to Heritage Conservation

Author: Joel Taylor, Norwegian Institute of Cultural Heritage Research, Oslo, Norway
Published: Studies in Conservation, Volume 60, Issue 1, 2015.
Thesis: The paper challenges the dichotomy of Eastern and Western approaches to heritage conservation, emphasizing similarity rather than difference.

Embodied Heritage Values: Discusses both tangible and intangible embodiments of heritage values, questioning the common belief regarding cultural differences in conservation philosophies.
Contextualization of Material Conservation: Importance of re-examining material conservation within current debates, highlighting the need for a balanced perspective that encompasses all aspects of heritage.
Intangible Heritage: The UNESCO definition of intangible heritage is critiqued, suggesting a conflation of intangible embodiment and the values associated with heritage.

Heritage as a Social Practice: The discussion conceptualizes heritage as a communicative act where values are transmitted through the medium of heritage sites or objects.
Communication Model: Draws from Shannon & Weaver (1949), indicating that the medium (heritage site) conveys messages that embody heritage values.

Critique of Divisions: Questions the notion that conservation philosophies can be distinctly categorized as either 'Eastern' (intangible focus) or 'Western' (tangible focus), illustrating how context and materiality affect conservation decisions.
Examples: Uses renowned heritage sites like the Ise Grand Shrine and Stonehenge to illustrate the complexities in conservation approaches rather than stark contrasts.

Description: A shrine complex in Japan that is rebuilt every 20 years.
Conservation Philosophy: Focuses on maintaining the tradition and skills rather than the original material, with value connected to the act of rebuilding.

Description: An ancient stone circle in the UK, recognized for its material significance.
Diverse Values: Highlights the ongoing cultural practices and interpretations associated with the site despite the absence of conclusive historical knowledge about its original use.

Material Influence: The paper emphasizes materiality as a significant factor in how heritage is perceived and managed, including the implications for both tangible and intangible heritage.
Preservation Strategies: Discusses the impact of physical environment on materials' durability, impacting conservation strategies.

Heritage Communication: Emphasizes that the communication of heritage values is mediated by both tangible and intangible elements, necessitating an integrated approach.
Feedback Mechanism: Recognizes that as heritage is transmitted over generations, meanings become complex, creating a network of interactions that influence how heritage is perceived and valued across contexts.

Integration of Approaches: Stresses the necessity of considering both material and intangible values in conservation efforts to build a more nuanced understanding of heritage.
Future Implications: Encourages an acknowledgment of the interplay between values and their embodiments, advocating for conservation practices that foster sustainable heritage management.