Contemporary Theory of Conservation - Grand Format

Classical theories of conservation are well known in the heritage community, but in the last two decades thinking has shifted, and classical theory has faced increasing criticism. Contemporary Theory of Conservation brings together current ideas in conservation theory, presenting a structured, coherent analysis of the subject for the first time. It provides a thoughtful yet concise analysis of the developments in conservation theory over the past 25 years.
Conservators, art historians and everyone involved with cultural heritage preservation will find it a most welcome addition to the literature. This engaging and readable text can be logically divided into three parts. Chapters 1 and 2 describe the fundamentals of conservation, addressing the identity of conservation itself, and the problems arising when classical conservation theories are applied.
In chapters 3, 4 and 5, classical core notions such as objectivity or the role of truth in conservation are analyzed. This leads on to the creation of new ethical paradigms such as sustainability or adaptability, which are covered in the final part of the book.