Adapting Classical Restoration Concepts in Moving Image Restoration and the Role of Digital Techniques

Authors

  • Julia Wallmüller Deutsche Kinemathek

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58519/aesthinv.v2i2.11965

Keywords:

Film, Moving images, Aesthetics, Restoration, Ethics

Abstract

Ethical and aesthetic guidelines in the field of moving image restoration have been adapted from classical restoration theory. Focusing on film but valid for moving images in general, the article provides definitions of relevant terms and discusses ethical criteria for restoration and their adaptability for moving images. Mainly the claim for authenticity in restoration opens a wide field of discussion, starting from the question about what is authentic about film. The perception of moving images and the components their aesthetic value is build upon have a great impact on restoration interventions. Digital restoration tools and digitization have gained importance during the last years. While providing a wide field of new solutions, their seemingly endless range of possibilities has lead to a revival of the discussion about ethical and aesthetic aspects in moving image restoration.

Author Biography

Julia Wallmüller, Deutsche Kinemathek

Film Restorer

Film Archive

References

Benjamin, Walter. 1992. “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” In Illuminations. London: Fontana Press.

Brandi, Cesare. 2005. Theory of restoration. Rome: Nardini Editore.

Canosa, Michele. 2001. “Per una teoria del restauro cinematografico.” In

Storia del cinema mondiale, edited by Gian Piero Brunetta, Volume Vol.

V, Teorie, strumenti, memorie, 1069–1118. Torino: Giulio Einaudi editore

s.p.a.

Cherchi Usai, Paolo. 2001. “La cineteca di Babele.” In Storia del cinema

mondiale, edited by Gian Piero Brunetta, Volume Vol. V, Teorie,

strumenti, memorie, 965–1067. Torino: Giulio Einaudi editore s.p.a.

Edmondson, Ray. 2004. Audiovisual Archiving: Philosophy and Principles.

Paris: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

Farinelli, Gian Luca, and Nicola Mazzanti. 2001. “Il restauro: metodo e

tecnica.” In Storia del cinema mondiale, edited by Gian Piero Brunetta,

Volume Vol. V, Teorie, strumenti, memorie, 1119–1174. Torino: Giulio

Einaudi editore s.p.a.

Janis, Katrin. 2005. Restaurierungsethik. Munich: Martin Meidenbauer

Verlagsbuchhandlung.

Mazzanti, Nicola. 2001. “Footnotes (For a glossary of film restoration).” In

Restauro, conservazione e distruzione dei film, edited by Luisa Comencini

and Matteo Pavesi, 23–31. Milan: Editrice Il Castoro.

Meyer, Mark-Paul. 1996. “Work in Progress: Ethics of Film Restoration

and New Technologies.” In The Use of New Technologies Applied to Film

Restoration: Technical and Ethical Problems, edited by Gamma Group,

–19. Bologna: Gamma.

Odermatt, Wendelin. 2003. “Reversibilität: eine nachhaltige Strategie,

Beispiele restauratorischer Umsetzung.” In Nachhaltigkeit und

Denkmalpflege, Beiträge zu einer Kultur der Umsicht, edited by Marion

Wohlleben and Hans-Rudolf Meier. Zurich: ETH-Zürich.

Read, Paul, and Mark-Paul Meyer. 2000. Restoration of Motion Picture

Film. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Riegl, Alois. 1996. “The modern cult of monuments.” In Historical and

Philosophical Issues in the Conservation of Cultural Heritage, edited by

Nicholas Stanley Price, Mansfield Kirbey Talley, and Alessandra Melucco

Vaccaro, 72–78. Los Angeles: The Getty Conservation Institute.

Venice International Council on Monuments and Sites. 1964. ICOMOS

Venice Charta. https://www.icomos.org/charters/venice_e.pdf.

Downloads

Published

2019-07-11

How to Cite

Wallmüller, Julia. 2019. “Adapting Classical Restoration Concepts in Moving Image Restoration and the Role of Digital Techniques”. Aesthetic Investigations 2 (2). Utrecht, NL:144-62. https://doi.org/10.58519/aesthinv.v2i2.11965.

Issue

Section

Restoration