The Role of the Principle of Recognizability for the Safeguarding of Historic Real Relics:An Analysis
From Venice Charter to various rules formulated by different countries relating to the protection of and interven-tion in immovable cultural heritage,and to Principles for the Conservation of Wooden Built Heritage and other documents targeting specific types of heritage,recognizability has become a basic criterion for intervention on cultural heritage.However,due to the lack of fundamental research and disconnection between the code of practice within the industry and actual practices,the principle of recognizability is often questioned and boycotted by people working in the industry.This paper believes that the key reason for poor implementation of the principle of recognizability is that people working in the industry fail to realize the protective effects principle of recognizability on historic real relics.This paper analyses the protective effects of the principle of recognizability on historic real relics from two perspectives.Firstly,the confirmed identity of historic real relics ensures the function as the witnesses of culture and acknowledgment of history,making it possible for the relics to attract attention and receive protection.Such identity and acknowledgment not only serve as the foundation for protecting the relics but also imply that the identity,status,and representation of the relics deserve to be safeguarded.Unrecogniz-able additions to any historic relics imply not only that it is no longer possible to recognize historic real relics but also that there is no need for recognizability,which further implies that the protection of historic real relics will no longer exist.Secondly,only recogniz-ability can enable the interveners to confirm the origins of various components of the heritage and their relative value,and to formu-late scientific and reasonable plans for intervention.We may conclude that recognizability is necessary and even serves as the founda-tion for the protection of historic real relics.Based on the history review and the theoretical analysis,this paper points out that there are many practices which comply with the principle of recognizability.Pictures or texts explaining the pictures may be considered as a recognizability-related practice,which may even be the earliest representation of the principle of recognizability in the modern era despite that it might not be suitable to be used on their own.Additionally,the principle of recognizability can also be implemented through materialization.Under normal con-ditions,the heritage may not be recognizable.But with the assistance of some simple instruments,the heritage becomes recognizable.There is always one or more combinations of recognizable means which fit the specific circumstance.The key cause for the blockage in the implementation of the principle of recognizability is related to awareness,not aesthetics or technical issues.Moreover,discus-sions on the disclosure of information about intervention which is related to the public's right to know are also presented in this pa-per.It is concluded that such responsibility is irrelevant to the public's general preference for unrecognizable additions.Compared to previous studies,this paper has the following merits.Firstly,the protective effects of the principle of recognizability on historic real relics are analysed in theory.It is concluded that such protection cannot be denied by any tradition unless the neces-sity to protect historic real relics is nullified.Secondly,it is pointed out that there are various ways towards recognizability,which is subject to specific circumstances and should be utilized in a comprehensive manner.Thirdly,it is pointed out that the principle of rec-ognizability not only is the necessity for establishing a great attitude and ecology helpful for protecting the historic real relics but also promotes the establishment of a society in a great order in more dimensions.
historic real relicssafeguardingrecognizabilitytraditioncaveat venditor
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