November 12, 2014

Global Seminars & Invited Speaker Series

HERITAGE AND SPEECH. A FRAMEWORK DE REFERENCE LETTER

The current conception and perception of Cultural Heritage

D. Alfredo J. Morales Martínez
University of Seville

At present, cultural heritage is understood as all the manifestations and testimonies of human civilization. It is a matter of adapting to a new historical moment, in which the mere material notion is no longer considered sufficient, since the concept of cultural activity or product tends to be strengthened. With this denomination, the old categories are replaced and the historical and aesthetic concepts that previously prevailed are surpassed, because they implicitly included a value judgment that tried to underline the importance of a work in the development of art history. On the other hand, the creations and contributions of the present moment, whose historicity is yet to be demonstrated and whose artistic value is not always recognized, are also included.
 

Buenos Aires

 

The concept of cultural heritage is characterized today by its dynamism and in the evaluation of the assets that comprise it, its consideration of representations of social collectives and ways of life is enhanced. Thus arises what is called intangible heritage, understood not only as an inheritance from the past, but also as a present of realities that include such relevant aspects as procedures, knowledge, know-how and practices that tell us about historical processes, models of adaptation and ways of life. These are manifestations that are part of a community and that constitute an identity reference. Unesco has dedicated several Conventions to them, which in addition to establishing a definition of what should be considered intangible heritage, seek to preserve it not as a reflection of the past, but as a reflection of the immediate present.
 

Doge's Palace. Venice