Transformation of the Concept of 'Heritage'

Abstract

Clearly all 'heritage' is very much concerned with the conservation of traditional forms, and hence the values therein enshrined. Some chroniclers of this, like Hewison, have argued very persuasively that the whole campaign is concerned to dull perception and to do worse, producing opiates like 'bread and the circus'. But the paralysis of national spirit does not follow automatically. Nor, in all fairness, are the Arts Councils/ the arts generally to be seen as the sole means by which a (post-modern) society engages in a critical dialogue to tease out the values by which it might live strongly and not be debased.The issue, once perceived for its potential threat, is surely to be confronted by educational openness, by better museums, hopefully not expensive to enter, and by some degree of professional regulation within a triffid-like industry that offers too many social placebos. And a more rigorous and exciting history of the present, as well as the past, is to be available to all.