Living heritage: the object conservator's role

Critical discourse of conservation theory and practice is beginning to question ingrained principles that the profession was founded on. A heritage object becomes alive through creation and use. Living populations also add to the life of that object by projecting current values onto the past. Conservators

must reflect on these theoretical considerations while practicing within the boundaries of a changing profession that is questioning the ‘preservation ethic’ and where allegiances lie: to the past, present or future? In this paper, I explore the notion of ‘living heritage’, assess the role of the objects conservator

within this context and reflect on how living heritage challenges the current conservation ethic of preservation.