Session: Asia-Pacific Virtual Live Hub

By Sarai Landa and Namrata Patel 

Preserving Cultural Heritage: Innovative Projects Across Asia

In our rapidly globalising world, the preservation of cultural heritage has become increasingly important. Innovative projects from Cambodia, India, Myanmar, and the UK are wonderful, and appear as examples of how cooperation, technology, and community engagement can work harmoniously to safeguard our history. These initiatives serve as a reminder that protecting our heritage requires not only advanced techniques but also deep respect for cultural significance. 

In Cambodia, a remarkable project led by Cambodian and South Korean experts focused on conserving the stone monuments from the reign of Jayavarman VII. Over five years, the local team received training in non-destructive assessment techniques, such as infrared photography and ultrasonic measurement. Building local expertise enables the Cambodian community to take charge of their own cultural preservation with a sustainable approach to heritage management. 

India's Eravimangalam Subramanyaswamy temple is another notable example of integrating community involvement into heritage conservation as local participation played a crucial role in the restoration process, balancing both aesthetic and historic aspects. Innovative green cleaning solutions have been introduced, and 3D models are being created to visualise and plan cleaning efforts. This engagement fosters a sense of ownership among community members, encouraging them to be proud of their cultural heritage. 

Myanmar's approach to preserving old photographs is equally innovative. Faced with the challenges of high humidity, researchers have adopted dry cabinets, a low energy and less environmentally detrimental alternative to air conditioning. These cabinets effectively maintain low humidity levels, safeguarding the photographs for future generations. Furthermore, by training local community members in proper care techniques and introducing new protective materials, the project ensures the longevity of these invaluable memories. 

At Northumbria University, the stewardship of Tibetan drums underscores the significance of cultural sensitivity and ethical research practices. By collaborating closely with Tibetan communities, experts navigate the complex ethical considerations surrounding these sacred objects. The goal is to set up guidelines that respect and preserve the cultural essence of these instruments, ensuring they are treated with the utmost care and reverence. 

Following these presentations, a vibrant panel discussion provided attendees with the opportunity to engage directly with the presenters. Including Karma Yeshey from Bhutan, Sreekumar Menon FIIC from India, and Sanira Gani from Singapore, the session tackled various pressing issues in heritage preservation. Richard Mulholland shared vital strategies for honoring the significance of ritual objects. He emphasized the university’s role as a temporary custodian of these collections, underscoring that their policies are not set in stone but are fluid and adaptable, shaped by ongoing conversations with community stakeholders.

The panel also highlighted innovative practices for conserving glass plate negatives. By utilizing sealed cabinets that maintain low humidity levels, museums can significantly reduce energy consumption, offering a sustainable alternative to cold storage. This method not only lowers carbon footprints but also opens doors for larger-scale collaborations, including potential partnerships with France.

Community involvement remains at the heart of conservation efforts in Kerala, where locals actively participate in assessing the condition of murals. This engagement challenges the conventional rush to restore artifacts to a pristine state, encouraging a more thoughtful approach to preservation. Myongju pointed out that the teams involved in these projects continue to communicate, fostering a sense of solidarity despite geopolitical challenges. They remain optimistic about future cooperation opportunities in the region. The panel discussion were followed by the poster presentation and networking sessions.

During poster presentations, biodeterioration, plague control and community involvement were focal points of discussion, with Seka Seneviratne and Katharina Derksen offering different approaches, highlighting the need for greener and more efficient solutions to these issues. Seneviratne's exhaustive genomic study of the species affecting acrylic substrates in tropical environments aims to future development of targeted mitigation techniques. 

Additionally, Derksen’s work focused on the collection of biological data and its relationship with both climate conditions and different kinds of buildings. These works show the importance of conducting projects in the local context to obtain more precise results that can transform into less resource-consuming solutions, which are especially decisive for small or limited-budget institutions. Finally, Juana Segura talked about a project to stabilise the mural paintings in Peru. This is a conjoined work between the conservation team, the Archbishopric of Cusco and the local community, of which the latter carries out the monthly monitoring of the paintings. Segura explained that the community’s keen sense of belonging to the Kuñatambo temple, facilitated their engagement with the conservators, that gave them assessment tools for the different monitoring levels. This experience points to the importance of communities not only as beneficiaries but also as active participants in long-term conservation efforts. 

In conclusion, these innovative projects across Asia-Pacific exemplify the power of collaboration, technology, and community engagement in cultural heritage preservation. By respecting the cultural significance of artefacts and involving local communities, these initiatives ensure that our shared history is preserved for generations to come.

BLOG AUTHORS AND BYLINES: 

Sarai Landa, Student of Conservation and Restoration, UNMSM, Peru 

Namrata Patel, Conservator, Urjita Centre for Art Conservation and Heritage Management,  India