Questionnaire on preservation of contemporary urban graffiti

This questionnaire is part of a research project carried out for
University College London on "Contemporary Urban Graffiti
Preservation". I would be very glad to know what is the opinion of
conservators and other heritage professionals about this very
controversial topic.

First, I would like to thank you in advance for your time in
answering these questions. Second, please have fun with this. Skip
questions you don't feel like answering, and include whatever comes
to mind that you find interesting. Links to videos, photos, projects
or writings of yours are very welcome.

    Name (Optional):

    Country:

    In which heritage field do you work?:

    What do you think of the shift in perception of graffiti, once
    seen as solely vandalism and now seen as a form of art?

    What do you think is the current approach of heritage
    professionals towards graffiti?

    Graffiti are often exhibited in galleries and museums. Some
    graffiti are now highly valued and there have been proposals to
    protect them. Moreover, graffiti are sometimes 'preserved' in
    the streets by 'amateur conservators' with Perspex. Why do you
    think this happens?Do you think that graffiti should be
    considered as cultural heritage?

    What is your attitude towards the preservation of graffiti?
    Should we take a different approach compared to more established
    art?

    Which criteria should be adopted to decide which graffiti should
    be protected and which should not?

    Recently, two graffiti painted by Banksy in Palestinian
    territory have been cut out of the wall and shipped to England
    to be displayed in a gallery. To what extent do you think this
    is a form of preservation intervention?

    What role do you think the point of view of heritage
    professionals should play in current policies about graffiti?

    As a heritage professional, to what extent the intentional
    temporary nature of graffiti should play a role in decisions
    regarding its preservation?

    What method should be used to preserve graffiti? For example:
    preventive conservation only; they should be restored when
    damaged; preservation should aim to record and document
    graffiti, the process of creation, the artist comments etc.
    (through photographs,videos and interviews etc.) without
    avoiding damage from occurring; etc.

    Who should preserve them? (e.g the artist, a professional
    conservator, etc.)

    Which stakeholders do you think should be in charge of deciding
    what graffiti to preserve and what criteria should be adopted in
    doing so?

Please send a copy of the questionnaire to m.orsini.11<-at->ucl<.>ac<.>uk

Miriam Orsini


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 26:10
                   Distributed: Sunday, July 29, 2012
                       Message Id: cdl-26-10-017
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