What does conserving authenticity mean to you and the communities that you have worked with? (Toshiyuki Kono) (2020/2020) by Larissa Ide & Mario SantanaICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
What Does Authenticity Mean to You and The Communities?
Toshiyuki Kono, President of ICOMOS, describes authenticity and what it means to the communities he has worked with. There have been changes to the definition of authenticity, which is a challenging issue. There needs to be balance between local and heritage conservation goals.
Beautifully carved stones - Ererouyk (6th century)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
How Do We Define and Conserve the Authenticity of a Place?
Several different layers of values for a heritage place combine to establish the authenticity of an element. Conserving the authenticity of an element involves maximizing the values of the different layers, more layers than the values suggested in the Venice Charter (1964).
Authentic oak veneered handrails with terracotta bottom. Inside the Lithuanian Military Research Lab (20th Century)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
What is the Nara Document on Authenticity (1994)?
The Nara Document on Authenticity (1994) highlighted new dimensions and aspects of authenticity such as the craftsmanship of conservation work and respect for cultural context. Charters like these created by ICOMOS help define cultural heritage on an international level.
Casa de los Arcos (2008/2008) by Mario SantanaICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Important Concepts in Conserving Authenticity of a Place
The character defining elements that are tangible and/or intangible (traditions, techniques, etc.) are concepts that need to be understood to conserve the authenticity of a place. The definitions for these evolve with the way that we define our cultural heritage as a society.
The Northern River Station Interior at Moscow Canal with Nara Grid overlaid (1932) by Mikhail RuchliadevICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Is There a Tool for Defining Authenticity?
The Nara Grid, a checklist tool based on the Nara Document of Authenticity, was published in 2008. This is useful for documenting the authenticity of a site through the different dimensions and aspects outlined in this grid.
ICOMOS Japan (2019)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Reassessing a 20-Year-Old Document: Conservation and Change
On the 20th anniversary of the Nara Document of Authenticity, reflections of its applications by heritage experts resulted in Nara+20. This document outlines five important issues and priorities to enact, while realizing that heritage values evolve with communities.
Video pan of 3D model of the Lab (21st Century)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Nara+20 Issue 1: Diversity of Heritage Processes
The processes of producing, using, interpreting, and safeguarding cultural heritage are changing due to emerging technologies such as 3D modeling.
Laboratory Furniture (20th Century)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Issue 2: Implications of the Evolution of Cultural Values
The determination of authenticity and values should be evaluated periodically to accommodate changes in perceptions, rather than relying on a single assessment.
Official Opening Reception at the Bahia Palace (2019)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Issue 3: Involvement of Multiple Stakeholders
“Further work is needed on methodologies to identify the rights, responsibilities, representatives, and levels of involvement of communities.” This is why ICOMOS started the “Our Common Dignity Initiative” in 2007 with a working group to focus on this topic since 2011.
The Moscow Canal. Canal-lock # 6. 2012 (20th Century) by Georgy VegmanICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Issue 4: Conflicting Claims and Interpretation
There may be conflicting views on the significance of a place and more work in mediation and consensus-building is required within heritage. The Moscow Canal contains unique architecture and technology and is a place of remembrance of the tragic events of the 20th century.
An excerpt from the 1937 propaganda documentary "Moscow-Volga". (20th Century)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Should We Conserve Tragic History?
The Moscow canal was built from 1932 - 1937 by prisoners of the Dmitrov labour camp. More than 100 million m^3 of soil were moved by the prisoners. More than 22,000 of them died during the construction. Every 5 metres of the canal cost one human life that should be remembered.
Installation of the Star on the spire of the Northern river station. Moscow. (20th Century) by Anatoly EgorovICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Protecting Authenticity and Integrity
Some structures of the Canal were severely damaged during WWII, but the majority has survived almost unchanged. The facades of most buildings and structures are authentic, in addition to some interiors. The star here was modeled after the towers of the Moscow Kremlin (1930s).
The Moscow Canal. Mechanisms of the Dam Perervenskaya. 2018 (20th Century)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Conserving Authenticity
Some mechanisms from the 1930s in the Moscow canal facilities are in good condition and still functioning. To protect the authenticity of places, the tangible and intangible elements need to be conserved in a proper state.
Excursion at the Agdal Gardens in Marrakesh (2019)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Issue 5: Role of Heritage in Sustainable Development
There may be trade-offs between the conservation of cultural heritage and development, but cultural heritage has a role in driving many sustainable development goals that need to be highlighted.
Exterior La Petatera (21th Century) by Villa de AlvarezICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
A Question of Authenticity of Temporary Structures
La Petatera of Villa de Alvarez, Colima in Mexico is built with wood and vegetable fibers, according to the traditional construction techniques that date back to 1857. It is a large arena with a diameter of 70-m and it hosts 4000 users at the same time.
Celebration in the Petatera (21th Century) by Villa de alvarezICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Traditional Practices Help Define its Intangible Values
It is used only two months a year during the village festivities and after that, it is dismantled and removed from the site. According to tradition, its dismantled parts are taken to the houses of the craftsmen builders to be safeguarded.
Petatera outside covering petates (21th Century) by Villa de AlvarezICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Ancestral Knowledge Passed Down
The tradition of the Petatera is an ancestral knowledge transfer from generation to generation, an intangible value. The young builders learn the knowledge of their ancestors by helping with construction, thus ensuring the preservation of tradition and authenticity of the site.
Eastern Façade. Military Research Laboratory for the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense (20th Century) by architect Vytautas Landsbergis-Žemkalnis and engineer Anatolijus RozenbliumasICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Authenticity in Modern Architecture
The Military Research Lab for the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense is an exceptional example of Lithuania's unique regional contribution to the modern architecture movement during the period between the two world wars.
Part of the Interior. Bronze Faucets (20th Century)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Tangible Values
These authentic bronze faucets were produced by the company 'Jouan Paris' and are only found in three sinks in the Military Research Lab.
Library of Lithuanian Military Research Lab (20th Century)ICOMOS - International Council on Monuments and Sites
Character Defining Elements
The authentic oak furniture specially designed for the Military Research Lab are character defining elements and are still in use, such as the book shelves of the library.
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