Preserving Cultural

Heritage

Presented byGeorgia Gene Berryhill, Ph.D. University of Maryland-UMUC

Conservation • Restoration • Exhibition

Fulbrights: Germany – 2003, 2005. Bulgaria – 2010

UNESCO Interactive map

http://whc.unesco.org/en/list

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International Movement Towards Preservation

• CULTURAL HERITAGE:

– Tangible: places, monuments

– Intangible: songs, language, history, social ceremonies, poems.

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Scrovegni Chapel - Padua, Italy

“Medieval Frescoes by Giotto Threatened by Construction Project.”

http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/25/medieval-frescoes-by-giotto-threatened-by-construction-project

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Parthenon Marble - horse (Elgin)

Cultural Vandalism?Elgin Marble “horse”, JPG, http://wikipedia.org

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Definition of Terms

• CONSERVATION

– Arresting Deterioration

– Planned Management

– Overseeing Transformations

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Definition of Terms

• PRESERVATION

– Safeguarding from looting, tourist damage

– Weather damage

– Unskilled efforts towards restoration

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Definition of Terms

• RESTORATION

– Bringing an artifact or site back to its former condition, location or position (ELGIN MARBLES)

– Return to its original condition

– Cosmetic treatments back to original appearance

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Definition of Terms

• PRESENTATION

– Promotions

– Virtual and physical exhibitions

– Visualizations for research

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Controversy among these activities:

Is it better to protect, restore, conserve or work in combination?

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Left: stains – Right: digital removal

Gene Berryhill 2007

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The Independent. “Ruined Jesus Painting in Spain.” JPG, http://www.indeependent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/news/botched-art-is_an-online-sensation-8081389.html

Unskilled efforts towards restoration – Over painting Slide 12

Restoration through cleaning

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Responsible Restoration and Principle of Reversibility

Gene Berryhill 2007Tape Removal

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Gene Berryhill 2007

Sliced Medieval manuscript: Before - Early preservation effortsAfter – Digital restoration repair

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Unrestored: Weather damaged/vandalized - Petka Church, Balsha

Restored example: Painting - Iskrets Village Church

Medieval Frescoes Bulgaria

Gene berryhill 2010

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Petka Churchexteriorwith curvedprotective roof

Bulgaria: Balkan Heritage Field School (BHFS)

Gene berryhill 2010

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Restored artifact – Gold Thracian Crown

Gene berryhill 2010

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Boyana Church – UNESCO site-restoration

Gene berryhill 2010

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Preservation and ProtectionGene berryhill 2003

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German fresco: left unrestored for museum exhibition, but digital copy produced for visual

clarification, off-site exhibition and promotional materials

Gene berryhill 2003

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Other considerations:

• Is the objective to expose (exhibit) or make a record? How does one go about these tasks?

• How does one organize and manage large data sets? – NEW MEDIA– DIGITAL VISUALIZATION

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Collection, sorting, photographing, cataloging

Gene berryhill 2011-12

Neolithic Jordanian Arrowheads Project

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Exhibition: physical arraysSlide 24

Gene Berryhill 1012

Digital Visualization Interactive ExhibitionSlide 25

Environmental RestorationSlide 26

F-60 Slide 27

Gene berryhill 2011-12

Environmental/Cultural restorationSlide 28

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Main Organizations

UNESCO The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. http://whc.unesco.org/en/about

The World Heritage Centre http://whc.unesco.org/en/convention

ICCROM International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural property) located in Rome, Italy. http://whc.unesco.org/archive/gloss96.htm ICOMOS International Council of Monuments and Sites.http://www.icomos.org/en

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How You Can Get Involved

• Join this session’s Blog on the Fulbright website.

• UNESCO Employment and Internships: http://whc.unesco.org/en/employments • Register as a Consultant: http://www.unesco.org/roster/UNESCO/CLT.aspx

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How You Can Get Involved

• Join this session’s Blog on the Fulbright website.

• UNESCO Employment and Internships: http://whc.unesco.org/en/employments • Register as a Consultant: http://www.unesco.org/roster/UNESCO/CLT.aspx

Categories: Education, Natural Sciences, Social and human sciences, Culture, Communication and information, External Relations, Human Resources Management, Internal Oversight Service

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How You Can Get Involved

Fellowships: http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=7972&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.htmlChairs: http://www.unesco.org/education/unitwin • Volunteering: http://whc.unesco.org/en/71 (Examples: projects in Africa, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), the Medina of Fez, Venician Islands, or projects involving diving along the Great Barrier Reef or an Argentinian Dinosaur excavation.)

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How You Can Get Involved

• Join a UNESCO Club, Centre or Association: http://www.unesco.org/en/clubs and inquire at fmacu@unesco.org • Contact one of the Associated Schools located in 180 countries: http://www.unesco.org/education/unitwin • Sign up for field courses at the Balkan Heritage Field School (BHFS) in Bulgaria, Greece or Macedonia. Learn hands on techniques, help out and earn college credit. http://bhfieldschool.org/bh2007.html

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How You Can Get Involved

• • The Getty Conservation Institute located in Los Angeles, CA: http://www.getty.edu/conservation

• An example of public education is a two day symposium on “The Siqueiros Legacy: Challenges of Conserving the Artist's Monumental Murals.” (Admission: free) http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/siqueiros_symposium.html

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• Articles and Resources in detail will be on my blog at the Fulbright web site.

• My Projects: Available at http://geneberryhill.com

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End

Q & A