Dr Shannon Fraser
North York Moors Trust
“Aesthetics, authenticity and a sense of place: conserving carved stone artworks in situ”

Over the last 20 years, a very common theme in cultural heritage conservation has been the adoption of a minimalist approach, taking the route of least intervention possible to sustain heritage assets for future generations. At the same time, organizations concerned with protection of the historic environment have stressed the importance of interconnections among the range of elements, natural and artificial, that together constitute places which people value. Communities of users are sometimes consulted to identify the special qualities which produce this sense or spirit of place.

With regard to carved stone artwork, including architectural elements and freestanding monuments, this has led to an aspiration to conserve objects in their existing or original location as far as possible. A range of technical and philosophical challenges emerge from this, including the need to think carefully about authenticity, aesthetic considerations, who we are doing it all for, and why. How interventive should we be? With ever more sophisticated recording technologies available to us, is there ever a case for letting the force of time take over, with the ultimate loss of the original artwork, or is their role more one of advancing understanding and providing a contingency against loss?

Location

Richmond Building, J Floor, room J19