Preservation without Permission: the Paris Urban eXperiment | Lazar Kunstmann and Jon Lackman

TL;DR

UX, a clandestine group in Paris, has been conducting experiments and preserving neglected cultural heritage in underground and forgotten spaces within the city, including restoring a clock in the Pantheon and running a secret film festival.

Transcript

bonsoir did my pouch Stewart brand and Alexander Rose is going to introduce the speakers tonight so I get to introduce the long short and it relates to something you can conjure with little later this evening after our adventures underground in Paris tonight there will be a reception over in the long now Museum and shop and office and bar to be spi... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫥 Non-visible heritage, which includes forgotten and neglected cultural artifacts, holds significant value and should be preserved alongside more famous pieces.
• 🍝 Conservation efforts should focus on preserving diverse and numerous traces of the past, not just limited to prestigious objects.
• 🇨🇫 Public engagement and a sense of responsibility are crucial for the preservation of cultural heritage.
• 🤪 UX's activities and preservation efforts have been on-going for over three decades, highlighting the longevity and commitment of the group.
• 👾 Underground spaces in Paris provide a unique opportunity for UX to explore and preserve neglected cultural heritage.
• 😃 UX's clandestine activities have been met with challenges, including legal issues and the need to defend their existence in the public eye.
• 🤪 The preservation of cultural heritage goes beyond physical objects and includes the preservation of skills, trades, and intangible cultural heritage.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does UX find and access these underground spaces?

The group gathers maps and collaborates with members who have knowledge of the city's underground spaces. They navigate through the interconnected underground areas, creating their own maps as needed.

Q: What happens if UX accidentally breaks something while exploring or restoring?

If something is accidentally broken, the group takes responsibility for repairing it. They understand the risks involved in exploring these spaces and try to be as careful as possible.

Q: Have other groups or individuals been inspired by UX's activities?

It is likely that other groups exist, but since UX remains secretive, it is difficult to know for certain. The group's activities have influenced and inspired similar underground preservation efforts.

Q: Do UX members belong to diverse age groups?

Yes, UX members range in age from 7 to 77. The group started with young members, and over time, individuals of all ages have joined and continued their experiments and preservation work.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• UX is a group in Paris that conducts experiments and preserves neglected cultural heritage, particularly in underground spaces.

• They have restored a clock in the Pantheon and organized a secret film festival in abandoned areas of the city.

• The group aims to conserve non-visible heritage and believes that all cultural heritage deserves to be preserved.