As the author of these essays – which I began writing in 2020 and have continued to develop through thoughtful feedback and reflection – I’ve attempted to explore systemic bias within heritage conservation and historic preservation. My nine interconnected theses suggest we must examine our field’s fundamental assumptions about preservation work, including how our currentContinue reading “Excavating Inequality”
Tag Archives: Franklin Vagnone
Artificial Intelligence: Preservation, Destruction, and Cultural Intelligence
Attending Pratt’s conference on “Preservation in a Time of Precarity: Intersecting Indigenous Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence” laid bare the profound complexities of AI as both a preserver and a transformer of cultural heritage. The day’s discussions examined how our relationship with AI technology mirrors many of humanity’s historical patterns – it can either amplify ourContinue reading “Artificial Intelligence: Preservation, Destruction, and Cultural Intelligence”
One-night Stand: Living in the Shadows of a Diagram
I entered this one-night stand in a state of transition, personally and professionally. I hoped an overnight stay at the Pope Villa would take my mind off my situation and redirect my thinking outward. No such luck. Pope Villa, located in Lexington, Kentucky, was designed in 1811 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe for Senator John PopeContinue reading “One-night Stand: Living in the Shadows of a Diagram”
A Solemn Visit
Twisted Preservation embarked on a profound and challenging journey through the haunting landscape of the Southampton Slave Insurrection, an event so raw and contentious that even its name remains a point of debate. Some refer to it as the Nat Turner Rebellion, while others argue for terms like “uprising” or “revolt” to better capture itsContinue reading “A Solemn Visit”
One-Night Stand: Walking Home Purple
Old Salem Tavern Sneaking into my mom’s kitchen pantry, I marveled at the myriad pasta types. Our Italian-American family had so many varieties. Slyly, I’d lift several boxes, and once back in my bedroom/art studio, I would spread out my loot. Back then, my bedroom was my sanctuary, a place to draw and make buildingContinue reading “One-Night Stand: Walking Home Purple”
Freedom of Speculation
The question in my mind is whether a natural inclination for speculation removes one to a place outside of the possibility for “doing”? At what point is the critical observer no longer able to engage in the very thing that he/she observes?
The destruction of the sacred
I watched the screen in disgust as the crowd began to tear apart the tree. They ripped off whole limbs with their hands and women grabbed leaves and began to stuff them inside of their jacket pockets. The mob grew larger and eventually the assault on the tree resulted in the bare trunk being pulledContinue reading “The destruction of the sacred”
The narcissism of details
The narcissism of details New York City, 2014 I don’t mean to pick on Old George, but he really slept around. A lot. Have you ever noticed that the official messaging for a historic house site usually involves an obscure detail? The most obvious – “George Washington slept here”. I have been stunned to learnContinue reading “The narcissism of details”
fingerprinting: a defense of leaving your mark
Don’t scratch your name in the wall OF COURSE! – But, what do we take away with us from a visit to a museum? postcards, a book and a “selfie”. Why does this matter to a house museum site? Because what I consider important may not be the same for you. We have to allowContinue reading “fingerprinting: a defense of leaving your mark”
Twisted Preservation 