Week 6: Week 6: Who decides? Cultural Politics and Who decides? Cultural Politics and Moral Rights as Conservation Issues. Moral Rights as Conservation Issues.

Warumunga men painted for ceremony in front of a sand painting - photo by Baldwin Spencer 1912

Part 2: The Preservation Part 2: The Preservation of Secret, Sacred and of Secret, Sacred and Private Knowledge and Private Knowledge and

PracticesPractices

Last Day: “Moral Rights”Last Day: “Moral Rights”

Who Owns the Past? Who Can or Should Control Who Owns the Past? Who Can or Should Control the Care of Cultural Heritage?the Care of Cultural Heritage?

A.The notion of “Moral Rights”--A.The notion of “Moral Rights”-- B. Authorities vs. participants in decision-makingB. Authorities vs. participants in decision-making

1.1. Authors-Artists-CreatorsAuthors-Artists-Creators2.2. Scholars & Experts: Scholars & Experts: 'commonwealth of knowledge' 'commonwealth of knowledge' 3.3. Museums, Public Cultural Heritage InstitutionsMuseums, Public Cultural Heritage Institutions4. Private Collectors, & Owners4. Private Collectors, & Owners5. Community Stakeholders5. Community Stakeholders6. Publics6. Publics7. Political & Economic Powers7. Political & Economic Powers

Conservation traditionsConservation traditions

– ““scientific” approaches & scientific” approaches & “objectivity”“objectivity”

Focus on systematic Focus on systematic examination, testing, treatmentexamination, testing, treatment

– But “subjectivity” and non-But “subjectivity” and non-science-based knowledge science-based knowledge important components of important components of preservation of meaning;preservation of meaning;

Ex. the curators’ role in Ex. the curators’ role in evaluating authenticity (is it the evaluating authenticity (is it the “real thing?”) & assessing “real thing?”) & assessing objects as historical evidenceobjects as historical evidence

Vam Meegeren forgery of painting by Vermeer

Definitions of “museum Definitions of “museum appearance” as value judgementsappearance” as value judgements

– Ethnographic condition (as-Ethnographic condition (as-used) used)

Archaeological digsArchaeological digs Non-Western cultural Non-Western cultural

artefacts and artartefacts and art

– aesthetic position (as created)aesthetic position (as created) Artworks & historic objects in Artworks & historic objects in

Western traditions (cult of the Western traditions (cult of the “new”)“new”)

– Notion of “ethnographic dirt” Notion of “ethnographic dirt” (evidence of use), patina (evidence of use), patina (finish acquired through (finish acquired through ageing)ageing)

Ethnographic Conservation Ethnographic Conservation Beliefs—changing ideasBeliefs—changing ideas Integrity of the objectIntegrity of the object (in an ethical framework that does not (in an ethical framework that does not

alter the intrinsic nature of the object)—unmarred, alter the intrinsic nature of the object)—unmarred, uncorrupted…uncorrupted…

BEYOND the PHYSICALBEYOND the PHYSICAL– ConceptualConceptual integrity (INCCA) integrity (INCCA)– Cultural Cultural integrity (Australia)integrity (Australia)

Example: Australian Aboriginal Dreamings rendered as multicoloured Example: Australian Aboriginal Dreamings rendered as multicoloured acrylic panel paintings sold to collectors instead of ritual use in sand-acrylic panel paintings sold to collectors instead of ritual use in sand-painting or body-artpainting or body-art

Different concepts of authenticity for different cultures in the Different concepts of authenticity for different cultures in the past (old distinctions between high culture art forms and past (old distinctions between high culture art forms and ethnographic objects made to be used)ethnographic objects made to be used)

The care of “culturally The care of “culturally sensitive” workssensitive” works

IssuesIssues– Sacred knowledgeSacred knowledge

Some Legislation (ex. Native Some Legislation (ex. Native American Graves Protection & American Graves Protection & Repatriation Act, NAGPRA, c. 1990)Repatriation Act, NAGPRA, c. 1990)

– PrivacyPrivacy– accessible to some people – accessible to some people but not allbut not all

– PoliticsPolitics (« authentic » claims vs. (« authentic » claims vs. political rights)political rights)

– RuptureRupture how to re-integrate `things` in how to re-integrate `things` in

museums with cultural meaningsmuseums with cultural meanings

– Relationship of objects to living Relationship of objects to living peoplepeople

Ex. Ritual use vs. PreservationEx. Ritual use vs. Preservation Funerary Figure, Gabon (photo by Walker Evans) 1935

Artist’s Intent, Community Artist’s Intent, Community IntentIntent

Applying principles for art Applying principles for art by living to communities & by living to communities & ‘ethnographic’ objects‘ethnographic’ objects– Intent of the originator?Intent of the originator?

Individual or group?Individual or group?

– Community legal, moral or Community legal, moral or spiritual rights?spiritual rights?

Continuing useContinuing use

– Maintaining `functionalìty` of Maintaining `functionalìty` of objectsobjects

Restoration may remove Restoration may remove functionalityfunctionality

Use causes wearUse causes wear

Jim M. HartRaven Transformation Mask, 1985red cedar, feathers, hair, paint, cloth, leatherCourtesy of the Museum of Anthropology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver and Jim Hart.Photo: Trevor Mills, Vancouver Art Gallery

First Nations Perspectives on Preservation First Nations Perspectives on Preservation & Museums& Museums (Miriam Clavir) (Miriam Clavir)

`to preserve,l record, perpetuate & enhance`…language, history & culture`to preserve,l record, perpetuate & enhance`…language, history & culture Identity, power & controlIdentity, power & control

Traditional MuseumTraditional Museum Nat. Mus. of Am. IndianNat. Mus. of Am. IndianPreserves objectsPreserves objectsConserves objectsConserves objectsDisplays objectsDisplays objectsObject-basedObject-basedObject out of cultural ccontextObject out of cultural ccontextLooks at pastLooks at pastObjects are inertObjects are inert

Preserves culturePreserves cultureCares for objectsCares for objectsUses objectsUses objectsPeople-basedPeople-basedObjects, people & environment Objects, people & environment relatedrelatedIntegrates past, present, futureIntegrates past, present, futureSupports native American Supports native American philosophy that objects are livingphilosophy that objects are living

History & Meaning in Cultural History & Meaning in Cultural heritage: different approachesheritage: different approaches

1-Facts1-Facts Type?Type?

Material, symbolic?Material, symbolic? Which ones?Which ones?

-”great men-great works” tradition of old humanistic approaches (note -”great men-great works” tradition of old humanistic approaches (note absence of “others”)absence of “others”)

History from below (Annales school)History from below (Annales school) Subalterns/others? (postcolonial definitions)Subalterns/others? (postcolonial definitions)

2-Narratives & meaning-making 2-Narratives & meaning-making Subjectivity? Or different ideas about “objectivity”?Subjectivity? Or different ideas about “objectivity”? Context (space & time)Context (space & time)

““Subaltern Studies”Subaltern Studies”

Notion of formerly Notion of formerly subjected culturessubjected cultures

Importance of Importance of “imaginary “imaginary geographies”geographies”

Discourse –role in Discourse –role in connecting power, connecting power, identity & geographyidentity & geography

Diaspora—forced exileDiaspora—forced exile

Doorway of no return. Goree island, Senegal

New approaches (participation New approaches (participation in preservation/conservation)in preservation/conservation) Repatriationn or return of works (stolen, taken)Repatriationn or return of works (stolen, taken) Compensation or retributionCompensation or retribution Loans (ex. masks for cultural ceremonies)Loans (ex. masks for cultural ceremonies) Consecration (ex. Purification of sites—exhibition Consecration (ex. Purification of sites—exhibition

spaces in museums)spaces in museums) Interpretation & curatorial involvement of community Interpretation & curatorial involvement of community

stakeholdersstakeholders ConsultationsConsultations

– approaches “participatory” conservationapproaches “participatory” conservation– Wharton : professional conservators seek adviceWharton : professional conservators seek advice– Baca: community members re-interpret worksBaca: community members re-interpret works

Arguments against return of cultural Arguments against return of cultural objects to unstable regimesobjects to unstable regimes

Destruction of afghan buddha, Spring 2001

Fear of loss or destruction (deliberate or accidental, see AppiahFear of loss or destruction (deliberate or accidental, see Appiah)) Claims of “universal” or “international” rights (even of plunder)Claims of “universal” or “international” rights (even of plunder) ““Grandfather” claimsGrandfather” claims

Issues in Some of the Issues in Some of the ReadingsReadings Rewriting the `canon`, rethinking authority, Rewriting the `canon`, rethinking authority,

ownership & rightsownership & rights New ideas of participation in culturalNew ideas of participation in cultural “regulation” “regulation”

– Cultural heritage preservation as a form of powerCultural heritage preservation as a form of power– Censorship rights (the exercise of cultural authority)Censorship rights (the exercise of cultural authority)– Claims to control of cultural property as expressions of Claims to control of cultural property as expressions of

citizenship—tensions between liberal law & policy and citizenship—tensions between liberal law & policy and accommodation of diversityaccommodation of diversity

Marcus on cultural property, Marcus on cultural property, indigenous peoples’ movements & indigenous peoples’ movements & liberal thoughtliberal thought NAGPRA & sacred property, examplesNAGPRA & sacred property, examples

1.1. Tribal secrets for authentication & problems of Tribal secrets for authentication & problems of dissemination of sacred knowledgedissemination of sacred knowledge

2.2. Publishing Hopi secretsPublishing Hopi secrets3.3. Photographs of sacred placesPhotographs of sacred places

– Changing boundaries about knowledge & Changing boundaries about knowledge & censorship & cultural violence or abusecensorship & cultural violence or abuse

– displacement (knowledge or objects) & new displacement (knowledge or objects) & new contextscontexts

– Land claims, retribution claims & identity politicsLand claims, retribution claims & identity politics

Complex issues:Complex issues: E. Michaels--”For a E. Michaels--”For a cultural future. Francis Jupurrurla cultural future. Francis Jupurrurla makes TV at Yuendumu”makes TV at Yuendumu”

Warlpiri Media Association broadcasts as act of Warlpiri Media Association broadcasts as act of cultural appropriation of mediacultural appropriation of media

key issues: key issues: – Preservation of Aboriginal languagesPreservation of Aboriginal languages– social diversity of groupssocial diversity of groups– social conventions for distribution of roles, social conventions for distribution of roles,

knowledge (images/texts) & memories (the” law”)knowledge (images/texts) & memories (the” law”)– Example: Naming Practices of Warlpirinaming conventions & Example: Naming Practices of Warlpirinaming conventions &

concepts of personhoodconcepts of personhood skin & subsection termsskin & subsection terms define relations & access to knowledgedefine relations & access to knowledge

Key problems in adapting Key problems in adapting cinematic practices for Warlpiri cinematic practices for Warlpiri western practice of identification of individual western practice of identification of individual

artistartist avoidance of generic “primitive”avoidance of generic “primitive” indistinctness of boundaries between indistinctness of boundaries between

authorship & oeuvreauthorship & oeuvre restrictions on who makes or views restrictions on who makes or views

expressive actsexpressive acts

““The Law”-- DreamingsThe Law”-- Dreamings

tradition & practice tradition & practice site for inspiration & creativitysite for inspiration & creativity link to person’s “place” (age, gender, kinship link to person’s “place” (age, gender, kinship

category, “country”)category, “country”) ““ownership” of stories, names, images that ownership” of stories, names, images that

recount the “Law”recount the “Law” taboo about dead people’s taboo about dead people’s

names/possessionsnames/possessions

Traditional practices: body & sand paintingTraditional practices: body & sand painting

Pansy Pansy Napangardi’s Napangardi’s handhand

Jean Nampitjinpa, Jean Nampitjinpa, Bush Onion Dreaming,Bush Onion Dreaming,acrylic on canvas, acrylic on canvas, 19931993

Eric Michaels on “solutions”Eric Michaels on “solutions”

““fire ceremony” --filmed in 1967 by anthropologistfire ceremony” --filmed in 1967 by anthropologist– viewing issues (dead?)--deceased in “background”viewing issues (dead?)--deceased in “background”– banned ceremony(by church)banned ceremony(by church)– use as learning tooluse as learning tool– model for shooting new performancemodel for shooting new performance– edited tapes filed as “not to look”edited tapes filed as “not to look”– reproduction & social issuesreproduction & social issues

Questions of the WarlpiriQuestions of the Warlpiri

Can video make us strong? Will it make us Can video make us strong? Will it make us lose the law?lose the law?

Contemporary contradictionsContemporary contradictions– traditional forms of cultural practices & new traditional forms of cultural practices & new

media---CULTURAL FUTUREmedia---CULTURAL FUTURE political survival of a people depends on political survival of a people depends on

ability to REPRODUCE CULTURAL FORMS, ability to REPRODUCE CULTURAL FORMS, questions about how to use new media best questions about how to use new media best

Return to Decision-making model for Return to Decision-making model for art conservatorsart conservators

Link to diagram Link to diagram (Hummelen & Sille, 1999)(Hummelen & Sille, 1999)

Link to article explaining modelLink to article explaining modelhttp://www.cs.vu.nl/~eliens/casus/local/incca/archive/decision-model.dochttp://www.cs.vu.nl/~eliens/casus/local/incca/archive/decision-model.doc

Reconciling Different Views of Ownership Reconciling Different Views of Ownership & Origins in New Strategies& Origins in New Strategies

Multiple meaningsMultiple meanings Focus on technical with limited notion of conceptual Focus on technical with limited notion of conceptual

& contextual issues of different forms of cultural & contextual issues of different forms of cultural heritageheritage

Challenges in the use of digital mediaChallenges in the use of digital media– Easily reproducedEasily reproduced– manipulated and distortedmanipulated and distorted– Easily lost (obsolescence, ephemeral materials etc..)Easily lost (obsolescence, ephemeral materials etc..)– Fragmented and decontextualizedFragmented and decontextualized– Dissemination procedures unclearDissemination procedures unclear

Next topics in course: Next topics in course:

sonic communication & preservation issues related sonic communication & preservation issues related to soundscapes, audio & music (Dave Murphy & to soundscapes, audio & music (Dave Murphy & Barry Truax) and then intangible cultural heritage.Barry Truax) and then intangible cultural heritage.

Handout #6Handout #6: Readings for weeks 7, 8 & 9: Readings for weeks 7, 8 & 9 WebsiteWebsite location location

Other ActivitiesOther Activities

Quiz 1Quiz 1– discussion & hand back results– discussion & hand back results Planning short reportsPlanning short reports

– Recall Recall scheduleschedule