Abstract
This paper explores why heritage practitioners continue to embrace the objective security of positivism, building on Sharon Veale’s (cited in Sullivan 2015:114) observation that we are “ensnared in the system of heritage, rather than in understanding and unravelling the social processes of its making.” Specifically, built heritage conservation/CRM practice is too standardized and motivated primarily by speed, efficiency, and compliance; the field is not innovative or flexible; and heritage/CRM practitioners and scholars do not engage with each other. The field needs to recognize that the regulatory environment is a fundamental barrier in bridging theory and practice and in integrating tangible and intangible approaches. Lastly, understanding heritage requires a transdisciplinary approach that is altogether absent in most aspects of theory and practice. Possible solutions to these issues will be offered, including the idea of reenvisioning the nature of “heritage conservation.”
Résumé
Le présent article explore les raisons qui expliquent pourquoi les spécialistes du patrimoine embrassent toujours l’objectivité rassurante du positivisme, en s’inspirant de l’observation de Sharon Veale (citée dans Sullivan 2015:114) affirmant que nous sommes «prisonniers du système patrimonial plutôt qu’acharnés à comprendre et décortiquer les processus sociaux qui lui ont donné naissance.» Plus précisément, les pratiques de conservation du patrimoine bâti et de gestion des ressources sont trop normalisées et principalement motivées par la vitesse, le rendement et la conformité; le travail sur le terrain n’est pas novateur ni flexible; et les spécialistes du patrimoine et de la gestion des ressources et savants ne communiquent pas entre eux. Les intervenants sur le terrain doivent reconnaître que le milieu réglementaire constitue un obstacle fondamental au rapprochement de la théorie et de la pratique, ainsi qu’à l’intégration d’approches tangibles et intangibles. La compréhension du patrimoine requiert enfin une approche transdisciplinaire, dont la théorie et la pratique sont somme toute démunies. D’éventuelles solutions seront présentées, notamment l’idée de repenser la nature du concept de «conservation du patrimoine».
Resumen
El presente documento explora por qué los profesionales del patrimonio siguen adoptando la seguridad objetiva del positivismo, partiendo de la observación de Sharon Veale (citada en Sullivan 2015:114) de que estamos “atrapados en el sistema del patrimonio, en lugar de comprender y descifrar los procesos sociales de su creación.” Específicamente, la práctica de la gestión de recursos culturales (CRM, por sus siglas en inglés)/conservación del patrimonio construida está demasiado estandarizada y motivada fundamentalmente por la velocidad, la eficiencia y el cumplimiento; el campo no es innovador ni flexible; y los profesionales y eruditos del patrimonio/CRM no se relacionan entre ellos. Es necesario que el campo reconozca que el entorno regulador es una barrera fundamental en el acercamiento de la teoría y la práctica y en la integración de enfoques tangibles e intangibles. Por último, la comprensión del patrimonio requiere un enfoque transdisciplinario que está totalmente ausente en la mayoría de los aspectos de la teoría y la práctica. Se ofrecerán posibles soluciones a estas cuestiones, incluida la idea de reimaginar la naturaleza de la “conservación del patrimonio”.
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Wells, J.C. Are We “Ensnared in the System of Heritage” Because We Don’t Want to Escape?. Arch 13, 26–47 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-017-9316-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11759-017-9316-8