Use of Audiovisual Methods and Documentary Film for the Preservation and Reappraisal of the Vernacular Architectural Heritage of the State of Michoacan, Mexico

Abstract

The State of Michoacan has a wide and rich architectural heritage which is represented by different vernacular typologies which employ different materials and techniques according to the local resources. However, this wide knowledge and cultural heritage are disappearing, with several monuments and buildings being abandoned due to new dynamics and social changes. The traditional techniques have been substituted for modern and industrial construction systems since they are associated with obsolete ways of life. Through international cooperation for development and research projects, many activities were carried out to analyze the durability of local materials and vernacular constructions of the state. The main ones included the architectural survey and inspection of these buildings, photographic and drone surveys, characterization in the laboratory and oral interviews with local users. During the field work, these interviews with the local population, the creation of multimedia content and the use of audiovisual methods had crucial importance in the documentation of this local knowledge and culture, being great methods for scientific communication and dissemination. The main product is the documentary Xirangua, which means ‘roots’ in the Purépecha language, the main indigenous ethnicity in the state. This documentary explores the traditional architecture and construction of Michoacan, showing the reality within the loss of this vernacular heritage and portraying the importance of its conservation through the perspective of the local population, users and artisans. The use of these audiovisual techniques has demonstrated to be a suitable option to promote and preserve cultural heritage and educate, include the local actors in the process, and make the general public aware of the current issues, with this being one of the first works which explores this approach.

Interactive Thematic Map as a Means of Documenting and Visualizing Information about Cultural Heritage Objects

“…In the article by Sanchez-Calvillo et al [32], cultural heritage in the form of vernacular architecture in the state of Michoacan (Mexico) was documented using audiovisual methods and documentary film. The research was based on the fieldwork that contributed to the film but also on the documentation and analysis of this endangered cultural heritage.…”

Analisis bibliometrik tren publikasi topik penelitian preservasi audiovisual pada database Scopus tahun 2018 – 2023 menggunakan VOSviewer

“…Secara keseluruhan, preservasi audiovisual memainkan peran penting dalam menjaga warisan budaya kita, memungkinkan studi dan apresiasi materi audiovisual, dan memastikan ketersediaannya untuk generasi mendatang. Hal ini memerlukan pendekatan multidisiplin, menggabungkan keahlian dalam ilmu kearsipan, konservasi, teknologi digital, dan pengelolaan warisan budaya (Kaufman et al 2020;Sanchez-Calvillo et al 2023).…”