Sometimes it’s the little sentences that make you think. A major German daily newspaper wants to explain to its readers what the difference is between a restorer and a “restorer in the trade”: “While craftsmen work in reconstruction, qualified restorers are responsible for restoration and conservation,” it says. So simple, so wrong. Academic superstructure here, simple craftsmanship there. Or to put it another way: Monument conservation here, mock-up cult there: art historians and monument conservators are always joining forces in the fight against superficial “pseudo-monument reproductions” or “architectural mummery”. That is correct. Reconstructions as reductions to surface and façade appearance may be popular and reflect an alleged need of the citizens. However, it is wrong to repeatedly and often exclusively blame the craftsmen for this. That is not true. Craftsmen working in the preservation of monuments are particularly aware of their responsibility when it comes to preserving monuments of any kind. The focus here is on professional craftsmanship.
However, craftsmen should also be aware that replicas are also creative and reflect the period in which they were created. So: where craftsmanship is required, the craftsmen must take responsibility. It cannot be the case that only academically trained restorers take on the craft. Because if craftsmen are no longer allowed to carry out craftsmanship, then something is wrong. However, it is also wrong to demonize the academic superstructure. For the stonemasonry trade, it is about the prospects of natural stone as a building material. It is about clearly stating the advantages of natural stone and getting involved in the discussion about the future viability of different materials. In short, the industry needs to talk about how to make STEIN fit for the “building of the future”. Building with stone in a contemporary way must therefore be the motto, not chiseling like yesterday’s masters. So: stick to your last. The restorer to his, the craftsman to his!
Read more about monument preservation and craftsmanship in STEIN in November.