Every Tuesday, The Duty offers a space to the artisans of a periodical. This week, we offer you a text published in the magazine Continuity, number 181 (summer 2024).
Heritage is often synonymous with accumulation. We immediately think of collections, when an institution brings together a multitude of objects, for example on the theme of an ancestral use or a well-known person.
But in the private sphere, this kind of accumulation risks becoming cumbersome, especially since the notion of family heritage can extend infinitely and justify all-out conservation. How can you declutter your environment when you believe that everything has heritage value? By using minimalism.
The concept of minimalism is to limit one’s possessions, by reducing one’s acquisitions, of course, but also by getting rid of the superfluous already accumulated. It is an increasingly popular lifestyle, and several sites and authors offer their way of adopting it […].
Everywhere, the basis remains the same: living with what you really need, limiting the number of objects you buy or already own. The most constant step in this process is decluttering. A series of questions must be asked for each object in the household. Is it useful? When was it last used? Is it appreciated?
Decluttering is not an easy process. It can be a long and emotional process, especially when it comes to sentimental or heritage items. Heritage lovers may find it challenging to embrace minimalism because preserving the past is important to them, both personally and socially. There are three essential components to consider when combining minimalism and heritage: personal memory, heritage value, and collective interest.
Personal memory
It is impossible to keep everything. Sometimes, we accumulate a large number of objects from the past because we want to connect with the memory of a loved one, often deceased. But what is the point of keeping everything, if these objects are not used and ultimately fall into oblivion? Sorting them out will undoubtedly bring nostalgia, sadness and joy mixed together. These are normal steps and emotions when decluttering.
From a minimalist point of view, it is preferable to keep a few significant objects, but which will not fail to recall the link with a deceased person or an era: a jewel, an item of clothing, a piece of furniture, a recipe, etc.
Do you have a dozen necklaces inherited from a loved one that you never wear and that are gathering dust? Choose one or two, wear them often and thus activate your personal memory on a daily basis.
Indeed, it is better to use these objects rather than putting them in boxes, hidden, which erases the meaning of this possession. By using them, we can keep the memory alive and talk about their history to those around us.
Heritage property
The decluttering is well underway, and several pieces, mostly related to personal memories, have been donated to anyone who will give them a second life. However, there are still several valuable objects. What do we do with them? Is it heritage?
The concept of heritage value is evolving, and differs depending on the stakeholders involved. However, its contours can be defined, as is done in the Quebec Cultural Heritage Act. It describes a heritage object as having one or more of the following values: archaeological, artistic, emblematic, ethnological, historical, scientific, social or technological.
One might think of a work of art, an instrument, furniture or an artifact. Besides, the financial value is not really at issue here.
To establish its heritage value, professionals will first document the object and undertake research to determine its heritage characteristics. In everyday reality, it is also relevant to judge the object by consulting different sources: family, historical society, etc.
For example, an antique piece of furniture certainly has historical value, but could also have artistic value through its making or even ethnological value through its use.
Collective conservation
After evaluation, if it is clear that it is a heritage piece, its owner could keep it to bequeath it one day to his descendants, or even pass it on to them now. This object is also of interest to the community, and it could be offered to a relevant body: historical society, museum institution, archives center, library, municipality, etc.
The process can be lengthy. For example, not all museum institutions have the mission of acquiring material goods and, if so, the pieces accepted are rare. They must fit into the broad acquisition guidelines.
Moreover, even museum institutions periodically get rid of certain pieces. A good example is the Augustinian monastery in Quebec, which decluttered its furniture to choose what would enter its collection and then auctioned off the rejected objects. We can’t keep everything. We will choose a recipient for each object according to its history, its use and its heritage value.
It may seem strange to combine two concepts that seem as different as minimalism and heritage, and yet it is possible. All you have to do is take the time to think about your motivations. For whom do you want to keep such an object: for yourself or for your loved ones? For society? Establishing these motivations allows you to better direct yourself.
In minimalism, we often make piles. The same method can be applied to heritage: what we clearly do not want to keep, what we find relevant but prefer to give away, and finally, what “turns us on” and that we would like to use, see or consult often.
After all, it is not abundance, but scarcity that makes a good valuable. And what we choose not to keep can become someone else’s treasure. So, are you ready for the spring cleaning?