The Netherlands is at the forefront of experimenting with and developing self-thinking materials: materials with self-healing capabilities. This means a revolution not only in the world of construction and design, but also in that of restoration and heritage. Less and less, materials and fabrics are conceived purely instrumentally. Materials are seen much more as actors, as part and substance of our world, just as we humans are. Research into new technologies to preserve heritage for posterity also recognises the instability of materials. Questions involved include: Should building restorers restore the situation just after construction, or after a century of use? This question becomes even more pressing when materials start to change or restore themselves. What is the original artwork then?
Connecting character
Understanding the relationship between material (knowledge) and meaning production requires interdisciplinary humanities and natural sciences research into materials and material properties. For a long time, there has been a watershed between material-technical research for restoration and art-historical research. The interdisciplinary approach in which the study of materials and techniques and historical source research go hand in hand can lead to new insights for the interpretation, conservation and restoration of heritage. These insights arising from fundamental questions are important for the choices we make in the conservation and management of heritage in order to sustainably safeguard it for future generations. Heritage is invaluable for our identity and has great unifying power for our society.
