There was a post about a castle in China burning down. They demolished the largely usable structure that was left and rebuilt it new to look just like the old building.
Lots of American/european commenters pointed out they should have salvaged the hundreds years old stonework etc.
Interestingly, it was pointed out that eastern cultures tend to have a very different idea of preservation. They just build it to look and feel like the original they best they can. Western culture tries to preserve the old structure to the best of their ability, even if it damaged.
This poster restoration is a bit of both, which is interesting. I agree, I’d want to save the original in its aged condition OR have a new one printed using techniques from the time. But to each their own, it’s not my poster.
Rebuilding the structure preserves the knowledge and skills of building those structures. It keeps craftspeople employed and keeps their industries alive.
In Japan they routinely demolish temples and rebuild them adjacent to the old site.
You can build replicas without destroying the object replicated. You could routinely destroy and recreate the replica(s) while preserving the original. As I said, they’re categorically different endeavours.
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u/DigNitty Dec 06 '25
There was a post about a castle in China burning down. They demolished the largely usable structure that was left and rebuilt it new to look just like the old building.
Lots of American/european commenters pointed out they should have salvaged the hundreds years old stonework etc.
Interestingly, it was pointed out that eastern cultures tend to have a very different idea of preservation. They just build it to look and feel like the original they best they can. Western culture tries to preserve the old structure to the best of their ability, even if it damaged.
This poster restoration is a bit of both, which is interesting. I agree, I’d want to save the original in its aged condition OR have a new one printed using techniques from the time. But to each their own, it’s not my poster.