HERIT-AGES. 'Idades' do Plástico e do Vidro para quem? Exploração de novas avenidas para a valorização e preservação do património para o futuro.

HERIT-AGES. Plastic and Glass ‘Ages’ for whom? Exploring new approaches for valuing and preserving heritage for the future
With more than 5,000 years of existence, glass is part of almost every aspect of human life. Plastic, with far more recent history, is a ubiquitous material which production took over and has surpassed other older materials. Glass and plastic share characteristics that make them suitable to perform the same functions, and possess both aspects that unite them and that keep them apart. Thus, initially, the plastic industry has evolved directly from the industry of glass, its workers and its expertise (both in Portugal and elsewhere). On the one hand, due to its negative impact on the environment, plastic has a hypervisibility today. On the other hand, despite the fact glass afforded substantial technical developments (e.g. optical fibre) and has also been universally used, it never had major visibility to the public realm. For different reasons, up to this point, glass and plastic have not been a priority when it comes to heritage preservation.
It is undeniable that both these materials have a high impact in our society. Although there is a somehow well-established idea that this is the Plastic Age, a recent discussion has emerged around the Glass Age.
(1)Whom do these ‘Age’ definitions serve? (2)How will the discussion of the Glass Age or the Plastic Age influence heritage policies? (3)Will the definition of Ages (Glass or Plastic) influence what museums decide to incorporate and preserve for present and future generations? (4)How does the study of the history of both the glass and plastic industries inform/ influence this discussion and future preservation? HERIT-AGES aims to contribute and be a driving force in the exploration of these Research Questions (RQ).
The current demonisation of plastic and the invisibility of glass might compromise the preservation of this heritage (tangible and intangible) for present and future generations. Chemical formulations, industrial making processes, and know-how are key to the fundamental body of knowledge that urge to rescue, understand and preserve. For these reasons, HERIT-AGES is particularly timely and will look at the Portuguese case.
HERIT-AGES aims to explore for the first time (a)how the discussion of the Plastic Age and Glass Age will impact heritage in the way we perceive it, in the way we value it, and how heritage policies will be influenced by it; (b)how today's decisions on what to preserve will influence the way this era will be seen and perceived in the future in terms of material culture; and finally (c)the history of the plastic and glass industries in Portugal, especially at their intersection, and their relation with the history of the material culture and materials usage in the 20th century. Looking into the life cycle of plastics and glass products is of utmost importance to understand and inform about the past, to better decide about what should be preserved and instruct the future.
To answer the RQ, a multidisciplinary team was gathered, composed by conservators specialised in glass and plastic materials, historians specialised in the history of science and technology, and representatives of heritage institutions. The research will be developed within the R&D units CIUHCT, LAQV-REQUIMTE, and VICARTE; and the National Museum of Contemporary Art (MNAC).
The methodology comprehends (i)critical assessment of the use of the terms ‘Glass Age’ and ‘Plastic Age’, and how these relate with current debates in the historiography of technology, the environment and heritage studies; (ii) literature review on the intersection of the history of glass and plastic industries, followed by the exploration of material culture related to these materials during the 20th century; and (iii)research conducted in several heritage institutions to explore management policies regarding these two materials and how its history is being preserved.
The results of HERIT-AGES will strongly impact heritage institutions and other stakeholders in informing on the importance of preserving the knowledge that surrounds glass and plastic production (tangible and intangible) and also the material cultural artefacts that result from both these industries. Very often, decisions are taken by what is already rooted. HERIT-AGES will play an important role in influencing heritage institutions and its stakeholders to put glass and plastic heritage under the spotlight.
The dissemination plan includes different target audiences: the academic community and heritage professionals, as well as the general public. The project will end with an exhibition, making the exploratory results accessible and interesting to a broad audience.
With the consciousness that the decisions made today will influence how future generations will look at and characterise today's society, the results obtained in HERIT-AGES will go far beyond the project’s length and realm, disclosing research lines to be further explored.