Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Getty Launches Modern Architecture Initiative

The Getty announced plans to launch an international architectural program, the Conserving Modern Architecture Initiative, hoping to provide new strategies for preservationists to take care of  20th century buildings which are beginning to show signs of disrepair. The program would first address the research of materials common in 20th century architecture, and then make those findings available to preservation architects. The program, members say, is not so much about protecting the modern buildings from destruction in a general advocacy sense, but more to help those already involved in preserving modern architecture find better, more efficient, and more effective methods of preservation.
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2012/03/getty-modern-architecture-preservation-eames-house.html

I think that's an interesting distinction that seems to fall through the cracks too often. Advocacy is important, but unless people work toward solutions that help that advocacy take action...and well-thought out action at that...advocacy can be a pretty empty gesture. Think of it this way, you can advocate the preservation of historical landmarks, but if no one finds a good way to repair them, a person to do it, and a cost that makes sense, nothing gets saved. Some people might not like that they simply look for solutions and don't worry too much about saving everything, but you can't save one thing if you're concentrating on 1 million others.

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