Ways of Aesthetically Integrating Conservation Theory in an Era of Neoliberal Illusions and Post-Colonial Migration

This article explores the fundamental question in conservation-restoration: for whom and why do we preserve art? The motivations for conserving cultural heritage evolve over time, influenced more by sociocultural contexts than by established theories. The concept of "care" is examined as a...

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Main Author: Hiltrud Schinzel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Association CeROArt 2024-10-01
Series:CeROArt : Conservation, Exposition, Restauration d'Objets d'Art
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/ceroart/8457
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author Hiltrud Schinzel
author_facet Hiltrud Schinzel
author_sort Hiltrud Schinzel
collection DOAJ
description This article explores the fundamental question in conservation-restoration: for whom and why do we preserve art? The motivations for conserving cultural heritage evolve over time, influenced more by sociocultural contexts than by established theories. The concept of "care" is examined as a potential approach to refocus conservation on cultural beneficiaries and their changing needs, while also considering both the material and conceptual dimensions of artworks.The article traces the historical impact of 19th-century industrialization, which democratized access to art and transformed conservation practices, but also led to increased commodification. This commercialization altered the relationship between art, its creators, and its audience, devaluing cultural assets by reducing them to market objects.Modern collectors, often disengaged from the deep involvement once required, have shifted the responsibility for conservation to public institutions, thereby weakening collective responsibility for preserving cultural heritage. In response to these changes, the article advocates for a reevaluation of conservation practices, emphasizing the importance of restoring an ethical and aesthetic connection with artworks. This approach would ensure that artworks are transmitted not merely as marketable objects but as living heritage, rich with cultural and social significance, in a context increasingly dominated by market logic.
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series CeROArt : Conservation, Exposition, Restauration d'Objets d'Art
spelling doaj-art-b1a907486ea8400d8f0548edba0ab0422025-01-30T14:14:35ZengAssociation CeROArtCeROArt : Conservation, Exposition, Restauration d'Objets d'Art1784-50922024-10-011310.4000/12ld7Ways of Aesthetically Integrating Conservation Theory in an Era of Neoliberal Illusions and Post-Colonial MigrationHiltrud SchinzelThis article explores the fundamental question in conservation-restoration: for whom and why do we preserve art? The motivations for conserving cultural heritage evolve over time, influenced more by sociocultural contexts than by established theories. The concept of "care" is examined as a potential approach to refocus conservation on cultural beneficiaries and their changing needs, while also considering both the material and conceptual dimensions of artworks.The article traces the historical impact of 19th-century industrialization, which democratized access to art and transformed conservation practices, but also led to increased commodification. This commercialization altered the relationship between art, its creators, and its audience, devaluing cultural assets by reducing them to market objects.Modern collectors, often disengaged from the deep involvement once required, have shifted the responsibility for conservation to public institutions, thereby weakening collective responsibility for preserving cultural heritage. In response to these changes, the article advocates for a reevaluation of conservation practices, emphasizing the importance of restoring an ethical and aesthetic connection with artworks. This approach would ensure that artworks are transmitted not merely as marketable objects but as living heritage, rich with cultural and social significance, in a context increasingly dominated by market logic.https://journals.openedition.org/ceroart/8457restorationconservationaestheticethics
spellingShingle Hiltrud Schinzel
Ways of Aesthetically Integrating Conservation Theory in an Era of Neoliberal Illusions and Post-Colonial Migration
CeROArt : Conservation, Exposition, Restauration d'Objets d'Art
restoration
conservation
aesthetic
ethics
title Ways of Aesthetically Integrating Conservation Theory in an Era of Neoliberal Illusions and Post-Colonial Migration
title_full Ways of Aesthetically Integrating Conservation Theory in an Era of Neoliberal Illusions and Post-Colonial Migration
title_fullStr Ways of Aesthetically Integrating Conservation Theory in an Era of Neoliberal Illusions and Post-Colonial Migration
title_full_unstemmed Ways of Aesthetically Integrating Conservation Theory in an Era of Neoliberal Illusions and Post-Colonial Migration
title_short Ways of Aesthetically Integrating Conservation Theory in an Era of Neoliberal Illusions and Post-Colonial Migration
title_sort ways of aesthetically integrating conservation theory in an era of neoliberal illusions and post colonial migration
topic restoration
conservation
aesthetic
ethics
url https://journals.openedition.org/ceroart/8457
work_keys_str_mv AT hiltrudschinzel waysofaestheticallyintegratingconservationtheoryinaneraofneoliberalillusionsandpostcolonialmigration