Abstract
Integrity stands as a pivotal but elusive concept in the preservation and comprehension of museums’ essence. Despite its historical discourse, an exact definition remains elusive. This research seeks to scrutinize the concept’s nuances within museum works, aiming to establish a comprehensive understanding.
The significance of integrity in museum settings has been recognized across diverse cultures, yet its precise definition remains absent. The absence of a defined framework hampers the quality of perception methodologies applied to national and regional museum artifacts.
This study proposes an analytical-descriptive approach to elucidate the concept of integrity in museum works. By delving into various documents, texts, and contextual information, it endeavors to identify the semantic components pivotal to comprehending the integrity of museum artifacts. These components encompass spatial order, semantic continuity, vitality, material originality, status, privacy, and environmental-social dynamics.
Examining historical interpretations and charters unveils a shifting paradigm regarding integrity. While early definitions focused solely on the physical aspects and superficial beauty of artworks, recent interpretations encompass metaphysical dimensions and inherent values. Contemporary perspectives stress the preservation of universal values and audience perception while balancing preservation and accessibility.
This research advocates for integrity as a boundary-setting tool, crucial for comprehending and preserving heritage. It emphasizes the necessity of defining and evaluating integrity in all aspects of museum interventions, essential for uncovering hidden meanings and fostering audience engagement.
The study aims to define integrity’s components for scientific inquiry and preservation, outlining criteria such as the status and privacy of artworks, spatial order, material authenticity, environmental dynamics, vitality, and continuity of meanings.
The integral nature of these components forms a holistic understanding of integrity, crucial for the preservation, management, and sustainable development of museum artworks. Neglecting any element risks compromising the entire concept, underscoring the necessity of a comprehensive approach.
In conclusion, this research underscores integrity’s role as a cornerstone in museum practices, urging a holistic perspective for the preservation and meaningful understanding of cultural heritage.