In his opening lecture, the celebrated Dutch architect Herman Hertzberger made a very important distinction between modernism and modernity. ‘Modernism’ is referred to as a stylistic approach, set within a period in time. ‘Modernity’ is seen more as a condition or a set of ideas which are value driven. Where modernism makes reference to the past, modernity refers to the present and perhaps even to the future.
It is within this theoretical framework that I asked the question: How does one deal with the modern heritage of Africa or more precisely for me, South Africa?
Protecting modern buildings and structures in South Africa is problematized by the fact that modernism coincided and to some extent colluded with oppressive government policies.
Two papers presented at the 10th Docomomo conference provided some clear answers.
In his opening lecture, the celebrated Dutch architect Herman Hertzberger made a very important distinction between modernism and modernity. ‘Modernism’ is referred to as a stylistic approach, set within a period in time. ‘Modernity’ is seen more as a condition or a set of ideas which are value driven. Where modernism makes reference to the past, modernity refers to the present and perhaps even to the future.
It is within this theoretical framework that I asked the question: How does one deal with the modern heritage of Africa or more precisely for me, South Africa?
Protecting modern buildings and structures in South Africa is problematized by the fact that modernism coincided and to some extent colluded with oppressive government policies.
Two papers presented at the 10th Docomomo conference provided some clear answers.
Ola Oduku’s poignant tale about a library in a remote part of Ghana illustrated the fact that subtle shifts in programme (from library during the week to church on Sundays) by community members themselves, inadvertedly works towards the protection and conservation of an iconic modern structure.
Zueler Lima discusses in his paper ”Historic Present: Modern Movement in Situation” that while the ideological contexts within which modern buildings were conceived has long expired, its fabric is still very much present. As illustrated through the work of Lina Bo Bardi, the challenge of change is set within the reasoning that restoration is in essence a contemporary act and should therefore deal with contemporary circumstance.
Both papers allude towards a different approach towards conservation – Oduku in a natural evolution of the programme of the building and Lima in shifts in theoretical thinking about restoration, conservation and protection of modern heritage.
These two lessons are of great relevance within the South African context where protection is required without preservation being possible or money and resources are not available for a purist restoration approach.
www.docomomo2008.nl
