The meaning and operability of the concept of authenticity in heritage preservation: the paradigms of Brasilia and Ouro Preto

Abstract

The research project aims to discuss the meaning and application of the concept of authenticity applied to historical heritage preservation. Originally, the concept is related to an institutional authority responsible for certification of normative texts. Applying to historical structures preservation, authenticity opposes to falsification of monuments, observing their historic and aesthetic values. However, as since as its Eurocentric character was recognized, the meaning of the concept is changing, considering its cultural aspect. If traditionally it is attached to the materiality of the monuments, nowadays shall be examined in its immaterial significance. In this sense, authenticity becomes part of the cultural values assigned to historical heritage, and the debate emerges a dialectical relationship between material and immaterial culture. If we assume the authenticity as a precedent of the set of cultural values that determines the recognition and protection of historical heritage, put up the following questions. 1) Is authenticity restricted to historical and artistic aspects of the monument, attached to its materiality? 2) Is the application of authenticity concept possible if applied according to its original meaning, based on its immaterial significance? 3) Is the application of the authenticity concept given by the dialectical relationship between material and immaterial culture? To elucidate these questions, it was set up a comparison between the paradigms established by the preservation of Ouro Preto and Brasília, considering the first in the traditional meaning of authenticity concept, and the second because it involves aspects of material and immaterial culture in its preservation.