A Theory of Cultural Heritage

A Theory of Cultural Heritage provides a structured and comprehensive picture of the concept of cultural heritage (CH) and its theoretical and practical derivatives.

Autorentext

Dr. Salvador Muñoz-Viñas is a Professor at the Instituto de Restauración del Patrimonio of the Universitat Politècnica de València, Spain. He holds university degrees in Art History and Fine Arts. During his career he has lectured at different centers and universities such as ICCROM, the Sorbonne, the British Museum, Harvard University, the Reinwardt Academy, and NYU. His work on cultural heritage has been published in English, Spanish, Chinese, Persian and other major Western and non-Western languages.

Klappentext

A Theory of Cultural Heritage provides a structured and comprehensive picture of the concept of cultural heritage (CH) and its theoretical and practical derivatives.

Zusammenfassung

A Theory of Cultural Heritage provides a structured and comprehensive picture of the concept of cultural heritage (CH) and its theoretical and practical derivatives.

Arguing that the expanded notion of CH brings with it a number of unresolved conceptual tensions, Muñoz-Viñas summarizes the strong and weak points of the current discourse. Gathering together a range of existing views on cultural heritage and its practices, the book provides a dynamic overview of the theoretical underpinnings behind the notion and also considers how these could evolve in the future. By analyzing the conflicting meanings of the term 'cultural heritage' and establishing a more nuanced ontological taxonomy, this book challenges some well-established views and outlines a framework that will allow the reader to better grasp the theoretical and practical complexities of this fascinating notion.

A Theory of Cultural Heritage is a thought-provoking and valuable contribution to the existing literature, written in an engaging, clear style that will make it accessible to academics, students and heritage professionals alike.

Inhalt

Part I. Setting the Background: Chapter 1. How to not be axiological: a brief look at the history of cultural heritage; Chapter 2. (Un)definitions of ICH; Chapter 3. (Un)definitions of CH; Chapter 4. A note on CH practices; Part II. Setting the Limits: Chapter 5. Westerness, colonialism, and CH; Chapter 6. Elitism, authority, and CH; Chapter 7. CH, authenticity, and fabrication; Part III. Notes for a Theory of Cultural Heritage: Chapter 8. The ontologies of cultural heritage; ****Chapter 9. Notes for a theory of CH.