AIC's 47th Annual Meeting

Outrage and ridicule followed recent “botched” restorations of a sculpture of St. George and a fresco depicting Ecce Homo, both in Spain. What is the role of the conservation professional in responding to such “scandals”? Is it possible to uphold standards and ethics while remaining relevant and sensitive in a global, digitized world where stakeholders for artworks are geographically and culturally diverse? This presentation explores linguistic approaches as possible models for navigating the choppy waters of authority over authenticity. If linguistic purists had had their way, English wouldn’t have evolved into the rich global language it is today. On the other hand, unchecked, without standards, the shared meaning of language would have muddied, eroding its efficacy as a tool for communication. Does use determine meaning in art as it does in language? If so, current conservation paradigms may reign in the relatively controlled environments of museum and institution, but additional tools may be needed for the field to participate in the broader, popular discussion of cultural heritage. The presentation attempts to envision the field of conservation beyond the walls of museum and collection and on the world stage.