QUALITY PARAMETERS IN CONSERVATION-RESTORATION CHOICES – THE CASE OF THE TOWER OF THE WINDS IN ATHENS
Maria Papadopoulou
Greek Ministry of Culture (Greece)
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1684-4104
Andromache Gazi
Dept. of Communication, Media and Culture, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences (Greece)
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0882-8876
Abstract
The chemistry- and physics-based approach of conservation has led to the view that conservator-restorers use quantitative criteria which provide objective choices. Today, however, there is a shift of focus from material-centred to people-oriented approaches within the field of heritage preservation. This shift leads to a redefinition of the conservation-restoration field and its ethics in relation to society and calls for the adoption of diverse methodologies. Within this context, this paper discusses the qualitative factors which inform decision-making processes in conservation-restoration practice. More specifically, the paper examines the case of the so called “Tower of the Winds” in Athens and looks at the quality parameters which informed conservation-restoration work carried out at the Tower during 2014-2015. Overall, it is shown that the prominence of the quality parameters which inform contemporary conservation-restoration practice reveals the subjective dimension of conservation-restoration choices. The research has also showed that current trends tend to emphasize the historical rather than the aesthetic or other values of monuments.
Keywords:
Conservation/restoration, quality parameters in decision-making, Tower of the Winds, AthensReferences
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Avrami, E. (2009). Heritage, Values, and Sustainability. In Α. Richmond & Α. Bracker (Eds.), Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths (pp. 177-183). London: Routledge.
Berducou, M. (1996). Introduction to archaeological conservation. In N. Stanley-Price, M. Kirby Talley & A. Melucco Vaccaro (Eds.), Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (pp. 248-259). Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute.
Brooks, M. (2013). Culture and anarchy: considering conservation. In E. Williams (Ed.), The Public Face of Conservation (pp. 1-7). London: Archetype Publications.
Cane, S. (2009). Why Do We Conserve? Developing Understanding of Conservation as a Cultural Construct. In Α. Richmond & Α. Bracker (Eds.), Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths (pp. 163-176). London: Routledge.
Caple, Chr. (2000). Conservation Skills: Judgement, Method and Decision Making. London: Routledge.
Clavir, M. (2009). Conservation and Cultural Significance. In Α. Richmond & Α. Bracker (Eds.), Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths (pp. 139-149). London: Routledge.
EACA: Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, Archives.
EACA (Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens). (2016). The conservation and valorisation of the Horologion of Andronikos of Kyrrhos, in the archaeological site of the Roman Agora of Athens, Project Report NSRF 2007-2013. Athens: Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports [In Greek].
ECCO (European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers’ Organisations). (2002). Professional Guidelines I. The Profession. Retrieved from http://www.ecco-eu.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ECCO_professional_guidelines_I.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
ECCO (2003). Professional Guidelines II. Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.ecco-eu.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ECCO_professional_guidelines_II.pdf; (Accessed 17/04/2018).
Georgaki, P. (2012). Restoration of ancient vases: questions of aesthetics and ethics from an international and Greek museum experience. Phil. Diss. Thessaloniki: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki [In Greek].
Hölling, H.B. (2017, September 4-8). Time and conservation. Paper presented at ICOM CC 18th Triennial Conference, Copenhagen. Paris: International Council of Museums. Retrieved from http://icom-cc-publications-online.org/PublicationDetail.aspx?cid=53384c17-3c46-4c24-8917-650f145a5530.
Jones, H. (2002). The Importance of Being Less Earnest: Communicating Conservation. V&A Conservation Journal, 41, 20-22. Retrieved from http://www.vam.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/177376/20027_file.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
Jones, M. (1994). Why fakes? In S. Pearce (Ed.): Interpreting objects and collections (pp.92-97). London: Routledge.
ICOMOS (International Council for Monuments and Sites). (1964). International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (the Venice Charter). Retrieved from https://www.icomos.org/charters/venice_e.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
ICOMOS (1994). Nara Document on Authenticity in Relation to the World Heritage Convention. Adopted in Nara Conference. Retrieved from https://www.icomos.org/charters/nara-e.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
ICOMOS-ISCS (2008). Illustrated glossary on stone deterioration patterns. Retrieved from https://www.icomos.org/publications/monuments_and_sites/15/pdf/Monuments_and_Sites_15_ISCS_Glossary_Stone.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
Kemp, J. (2009). Practical Ethics v2.0. In Α. Richmond & Α. Bracker (Eds.), Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths (pp. 60-72). London: Routledge.
Kienast, H. (2008). The Tower of the Winds in Athens. Athens: Archaeological Receipts Fund.
Kienast, J.Η. (2013). The Tower of the Winds in Athens. The Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens (AAIA) Bulletin. 9, 20-29.
Marçal, H.P., Macedo R.A.S.P. & Duarte, A.M.S.P. (2014, September 15-19). The inevitable subjective nature of conservation: Psychological insights on the process of decision making. Paper presented at ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference, Melbourne. Paris: International Council of Museums. Retrieved from http://icom-cc-publications-online.org/PublicationDetail.aspx?cid=c8677218-738b-4d1c-9630-5ed0ce8d84b4 (Accessed 17/04/2018).
Matero, F. (2000). Ethics and Policy in Conservation. Getty Conservation Institute Newsletter, 15, Number 1 Spring, 5-9. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/newsletters/pdf/v15n1.pdf (Accessed 24/1/2018).
McClure, I. (2013). Making exhibitions of ourselves. In E. Williams (Ed.), The Public Face of Conservation (pp. 163-169). London: Archetype Publications.
Melucco Vaccaro, A. (1996). The emergence of modern conservation theory. In N. Stanley-Price, M. Kirby Talley & A. Melucco Vaccaro (Eds.), Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (pp. 202-211). Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute.
Mertzani, M. (2008). Issues of exhibiting, supporting and restoring sculpture. In P. Adam-Veleni & D. Ignatiadou (Eds), Stone. Paper presented at Conservation Conference, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, 2007 (pp. 89-103). Thessaloniki: ZHTH [In Greek].
Muñoz Viñas, S. (2005). Contemporary Theory of Conservation, Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.
Noble, J. & de Solla Price, D. (1968). The water clock in the Tower of the Winds. American Journal of Archaeology, 72(4), 345-355.
Papadopoulou, M. (2017). The role of conservation in the interpretation of monuments and museum objects. Master Thesis. Athens: Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences [In Greek].
Papastamatiou, Κl. & Fotopoulou, Μ. (2011). Horologion of Andronikos of Kyrrhos [Conservation Study]. Athens: Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments [In Greek].
Philippot, P. (1996). Restoration from the perspective of the humanities. In N. Stanley-Price, M. Kirby Talley & A. Melucco Vaccaro (Eds.), Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (pp. 216-229). Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute.
Pye, E. (2001). Caring for the Past: Issues in Conservation for Archaeology and Museums, London: James and James.
Richmond, A. & Bracker, A. (Eds.). (2009). Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths. London: Routledge.
Robinson, H. (1943). The Tower of the Winds and the Roman Market-Place. American Journal of Archaeology, 47(3), 291-305.
Smith, Ch. S. (1989). Museums, artefacts and meanings. In P. Vergo (Ed.), The new museology (pp. 6-21). London: Reaction Books.
Spantidaki, G. (2005). Conservation: A privileged time for the study of archaeological textiles. Paper presented at Conservation and Display of Conserved Artefacts. Technical and Aesthetic Problems, Conference, Byzantine & Christian Museum, Athens, 29/1/2003 (pp. 109-110). Athens: Byzantine & Christian Museum [In Greek].
Tournikiotis, P. (2010). Ideological and theoretical problems of anastylosis of architectural monuments in Greece in the second half of the 20th century. In Chr. Bouras & P. Tournikiotis (Eds.), Conservation, anastylosis and restoration of monuments in Greece 1950-2000 (pp. 13-28). Athens: Cultural Foundation of the Piraeus Bank Group [In Greek].
Villers, C. (2004). Post minimal intervention. The Conservator, 28, 3-10.
Walden, S. (1985). The ravished image: or how to ruin masterpieces by restoration. London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson.
Webb, P. (2017). The Tower of the Winds in Athens: Greeks, Romans, Christians, and Muslims: Two Millennia of Continual Use. Philadelphia, PA: American Philosophical Society.
Williams, Ε. (Ed.). (2013). The Public Face of Conservation. London: Archetype Publications.
Avrami, E. (2009). Heritage, Values, and Sustainability. In Α. Richmond & Α. Bracker (Eds.), Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths (pp. 177-183). London: Routledge.
Berducou, M. (1996). Introduction to archaeological conservation. In N. Stanley-Price, M. Kirby Talley & A. Melucco Vaccaro (Eds.), Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (pp. 248-259). Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute.
Brooks, M. (2013). Culture and anarchy: considering conservation. In E. Williams (Ed.), The Public Face of Conservation (pp. 1-7). London: Archetype Publications.
Cane, S. (2009). Why Do We Conserve? Developing Understanding of Conservation as a Cultural Construct. In Α. Richmond & Α. Bracker (Eds.), Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths (pp. 163-176). London: Routledge.
Caple, Chr. (2000). Conservation Skills: Judgement, Method and Decision Making. London: Routledge.
Clavir, M. (2009). Conservation and Cultural Significance. In Α. Richmond & Α. Bracker (Eds.), Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths (pp. 139-149). London: Routledge.
EACA: Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens, Archives.
EACA (Ephorate of Antiquities of the City of Athens). (2016). The conservation and valorisation of the Horologion of Andronikos of Kyrrhos, in the archaeological site of the Roman Agora of Athens, Project Report NSRF 2007-2013. Athens: Greek Ministry of Culture and Sports [In Greek].
ECCO (European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers’ Organisations). (2002). Professional Guidelines I. The Profession. Retrieved from http://www.ecco-eu.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ECCO_professional_guidelines_I.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
ECCO (2003). Professional Guidelines II. Code of Ethics. Retrieved from http://www.ecco-eu.org/fileadmin/user_upload/ECCO_professional_guidelines_II.pdf; (Accessed 17/04/2018).
Georgaki, P. (2012). Restoration of ancient vases: questions of aesthetics and ethics from an international and Greek museum experience. Phil. Diss. Thessaloniki: Aristotle University of Thessaloniki [In Greek].
Hölling, H.B. (2017, September 4-8). Time and conservation. Paper presented at ICOM CC 18th Triennial Conference, Copenhagen. Paris: International Council of Museums. Retrieved from http://icom-cc-publications-online.org/PublicationDetail.aspx?cid=53384c17-3c46-4c24-8917-650f145a5530.
Jones, H. (2002). The Importance of Being Less Earnest: Communicating Conservation. V&A Conservation Journal, 41, 20-22. Retrieved from http://www.vam.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/177376/20027_file.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
Jones, M. (1994). Why fakes? In S. Pearce (Ed.): Interpreting objects and collections (pp.92-97). London: Routledge.
ICOMOS (International Council for Monuments and Sites). (1964). International Charter for the Conservation and Restoration of Monuments and Sites (the Venice Charter). Retrieved from https://www.icomos.org/charters/venice_e.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
ICOMOS (1994). Nara Document on Authenticity in Relation to the World Heritage Convention. Adopted in Nara Conference. Retrieved from https://www.icomos.org/charters/nara-e.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
ICOMOS-ISCS (2008). Illustrated glossary on stone deterioration patterns. Retrieved from https://www.icomos.org/publications/monuments_and_sites/15/pdf/Monuments_and_Sites_15_ISCS_Glossary_Stone.pdf (Accessed 17/04/2018).
Kemp, J. (2009). Practical Ethics v2.0. In Α. Richmond & Α. Bracker (Eds.), Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths (pp. 60-72). London: Routledge.
Kienast, H. (2008). The Tower of the Winds in Athens. Athens: Archaeological Receipts Fund.
Kienast, J.Η. (2013). The Tower of the Winds in Athens. The Australian Archaeological Institute at Athens (AAIA) Bulletin. 9, 20-29.
Marçal, H.P., Macedo R.A.S.P. & Duarte, A.M.S.P. (2014, September 15-19). The inevitable subjective nature of conservation: Psychological insights on the process of decision making. Paper presented at ICOM-CC 17th Triennial Conference, Melbourne. Paris: International Council of Museums. Retrieved from http://icom-cc-publications-online.org/PublicationDetail.aspx?cid=c8677218-738b-4d1c-9630-5ed0ce8d84b4 (Accessed 17/04/2018).
Matero, F. (2000). Ethics and Policy in Conservation. Getty Conservation Institute Newsletter, 15, Number 1 Spring, 5-9. Retrieved from http://www.getty.edu/conservation/publications_resources/newsletters/pdf/v15n1.pdf (Accessed 24/1/2018).
McClure, I. (2013). Making exhibitions of ourselves. In E. Williams (Ed.), The Public Face of Conservation (pp. 163-169). London: Archetype Publications.
Melucco Vaccaro, A. (1996). The emergence of modern conservation theory. In N. Stanley-Price, M. Kirby Talley & A. Melucco Vaccaro (Eds.), Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (pp. 202-211). Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute.
Mertzani, M. (2008). Issues of exhibiting, supporting and restoring sculpture. In P. Adam-Veleni & D. Ignatiadou (Eds), Stone. Paper presented at Conservation Conference, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, 2007 (pp. 89-103). Thessaloniki: ZHTH [In Greek].
Muñoz Viñas, S. (2005). Contemporary Theory of Conservation, Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann.
Noble, J. & de Solla Price, D. (1968). The water clock in the Tower of the Winds. American Journal of Archaeology, 72(4), 345-355.
Papadopoulou, M. (2017). The role of conservation in the interpretation of monuments and museum objects. Master Thesis. Athens: Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences [In Greek].
Papastamatiou, Κl. & Fotopoulou, Μ. (2011). Horologion of Andronikos of Kyrrhos [Conservation Study]. Athens: Directorate of Conservation of Ancient and Modern Monuments [In Greek].
Philippot, P. (1996). Restoration from the perspective of the humanities. In N. Stanley-Price, M. Kirby Talley & A. Melucco Vaccaro (Eds.), Historical and Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (pp. 216-229). Los Angeles: Getty Conservation Institute.
Pye, E. (2001). Caring for the Past: Issues in Conservation for Archaeology and Museums, London: James and James.
Richmond, A. & Bracker, A. (Eds.). (2009). Conservation: principles, dilemmas and uncomfortable truths. London: Routledge.
Robinson, H. (1943). The Tower of the Winds and the Roman Market-Place. American Journal of Archaeology, 47(3), 291-305.
Smith, Ch. S. (1989). Museums, artefacts and meanings. In P. Vergo (Ed.), The new museology (pp. 6-21). London: Reaction Books.
Spantidaki, G. (2005). Conservation: A privileged time for the study of archaeological textiles. Paper presented at Conservation and Display of Conserved Artefacts. Technical and Aesthetic Problems, Conference, Byzantine & Christian Museum, Athens, 29/1/2003 (pp. 109-110). Athens: Byzantine & Christian Museum [In Greek].
Tournikiotis, P. (2010). Ideological and theoretical problems of anastylosis of architectural monuments in Greece in the second half of the 20th century. In Chr. Bouras & P. Tournikiotis (Eds.), Conservation, anastylosis and restoration of monuments in Greece 1950-2000 (pp. 13-28). Athens: Cultural Foundation of the Piraeus Bank Group [In Greek].
Villers, C. (2004). Post minimal intervention. The Conservator, 28, 3-10.
Walden, S. (1985). The ravished image: or how to ruin masterpieces by restoration. London: Weidenfeld and Nicholson.
Webb, P. (2017). The Tower of the Winds in Athens: Greeks, Romans, Christians, and Muslims: Two Millennia of Continual Use. Philadelphia, PA: American Philosophical Society.
Williams, Ε. (Ed.). (2013). The Public Face of Conservation. London: Archetype Publications.
Papadopoulou, M., & Gazi, A. (2019). QUALITY PARAMETERS IN CONSERVATION-RESTORATION CHOICES – THE CASE OF THE TOWER OF THE WINDS IN ATHENS. Protection of Cultural Heritage, (8), 239–254. https://doi.org/10.35784/odk.1090
Authors
Maria PapadopoulouGreek Ministry of Culture Greece
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1684-4104
Conservator-Restorer at Greek Ministry of Culture, BA, Conservation/Restoration of Antiquities & Works of Art,
MA, Cultural Management
Authors
Andromache GaziDept. of Communication, Media and Culture, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences Greece
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0882-8876
Associate professor of museum studies, Dept. of Communication, Media and Culture, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences
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