Modernism in restorations and the SPHAN Modernity, Universality, Brazilianness

Abstract

This article examines the modernism expressed in the restorations carried out by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Service (Serviço do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional – SPHAN), and the seminal role of architect Lucio Costa in defining restoration procedures and establishing hierarchies among different technical departments of the institution. The procedures that naturalized the predominance of aesthetic value over other possibilities for determining equity value and treatment of protected material vestiges will be analyzed. The trips that took place as part of the restoration work produced a vast collection of documents, such as construction reports, photographs, and correspondence, to be showed here. As conclusion, possible ways of interpreting the effects of such cultural heritage preservation practices in Brazil will be presented.