are Our Castles made of sand?
by: Matt Poulson
Is art immortal? Or is it like the people who created it, designed to pass with time. Individuals could make a validated argument stating that it is unfair to deny future generations the privilege of experiencing these arts. But as time goes on, humans evolve and our culture changes. Both of these things impact the way in which we perceive the art. Does the new generation appreciate the restored art for what it was in its time of creation? Or does the art become unconscious adaptation to their current culture. As author Susan Songtag explains in her essay Plato’s Cave, an essay on photography, that we as humans want to connect with the passing of time and gain custody of it. So in a sense, by preserving a painting, a picture, or even a structure we are stripping it of its cultural background and making it our own. And what of the artist who created the piece. We may never truly know the intention of the work. Why the piece was created, what was the message the artist wished to deliver in creating it? Without this knowledge, who are to alter it? No restoration process is perfect. When the piece of art is restored the piece can lose some of its important details. “Ethics in restoration have found their origin in the growing awareness that we will never understand the artist’s intentions to their full extent and that, consequently on our interpretations, which in restoration are expressed on the very object, never entirely cover the truth” -Van de Wetering (Dickinson.edu).
The counter to these questions and ideas is focused on us as a human race. We need to preserve our past, look at our history and learn from it. By studding the arts we gain an understanding of our cultural background. Where would we be without these ancient treasures? Our understanding of the humanities and classics would be relatively nonexistent. Most pro-restoration enthusiasts suggest that the art should remain the same as when the artist last left it. Although, now more than ever, technology plays a crucial role in the preservation of our cultures classical arts. The art can be repaired and restored close to its original beauty. The argument is that artist did not create the art with its decay in mind, they had a specific message they wished to get across. This holds true especially with architecture. No architect builds a structure with the idea of failure in mind. The residence of the building must feel safe and secure. In architecture one hopes to create a solid foundation that supports the beautiful space for any enjoyable activity. Viewing a temple, a church, or a mosque is supposed to inspire faith. Is it safe to say than that all followers of those faiths would want the same resounding effect that they experienced when first viewing the structure to stand true with all generations of time? This wish would not be obtainable without restoration. Even now, ancient architecture is corroding away and the images painted on walls are fading. Without restoration those buildings, along with their messages will be lost. So I ask, is it our responsibility to preserve these relics of the past? Or like their creators, do we allow them to fade away into the sands of time?
The counter to these questions and ideas is focused on us as a human race. We need to preserve our past, look at our history and learn from it. By studding the arts we gain an understanding of our cultural background. Where would we be without these ancient treasures? Our understanding of the humanities and classics would be relatively nonexistent. Most pro-restoration enthusiasts suggest that the art should remain the same as when the artist last left it. Although, now more than ever, technology plays a crucial role in the preservation of our cultures classical arts. The art can be repaired and restored close to its original beauty. The argument is that artist did not create the art with its decay in mind, they had a specific message they wished to get across. This holds true especially with architecture. No architect builds a structure with the idea of failure in mind. The residence of the building must feel safe and secure. In architecture one hopes to create a solid foundation that supports the beautiful space for any enjoyable activity. Viewing a temple, a church, or a mosque is supposed to inspire faith. Is it safe to say than that all followers of those faiths would want the same resounding effect that they experienced when first viewing the structure to stand true with all generations of time? This wish would not be obtainable without restoration. Even now, ancient architecture is corroding away and the images painted on walls are fading. Without restoration those buildings, along with their messages will be lost. So I ask, is it our responsibility to preserve these relics of the past? Or like their creators, do we allow them to fade away into the sands of time?
KK MUHAMMAD - reserving the HERITAGE: Nurturing the Future
KK Muhammad talking about the restorations and preservation projects of temples in India.