THE CITY OF OURO PRETO AS A CASE STUDY TO DISCUSS THE KEY CONCEPT OF GEONTOPOWER

Joana Vieira da Silva; Paulo Guerreiro

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Paper Title

THE CITY OF OURO PRETO AS A CASE STUDY TO DISCUSS THE KEY CONCEPT OF GEONTOPOWER

Authors

Joana Vieira da Silva
Paulo Guerreiro

Modality

Abstract

Subject area

4. Contemporary Challenges in Heritage Discourse - A critical examination of the state of the art in heritage discussions, considering the evolving perspectives and challenges that have emerged since the inception of the Venice Charter. Examining the relevance of the Venice Charter in the current context, with a focus on challenges posed by the Western divide between nature and culture, the growing importance of metropolises, social inequities, the environmental impact of human activities, disasters and conflicts, among others.

Publishing Date

11/04/2025

Country of Publishing

Brazil | Brasil

Language of Publishing

Inglês

Paper Page

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/849093-the-city-of-ouro-preto-as-a-case-study-to-discuss-the-key-concept-of-geontopower

ISBN

978-65-272-1284-3

Keywords

ouro preto, geontologies, nature, culture, cultural policies

Summary

The city of Ouro Preto, as its name indicates, has its origins in the exploration of gold (ouro), which was found by the Europeans in 1698. The outstanding urban heritage, built in honor or due to the exploration of gold, led to the classification as the first Brazilian historic town, both nationally (1930s) and also registered in the World Heritage List, as a UNESCO monument (1980s). Inspired by Elizabeth Povinelli’s essay Geontologies, this paper examines the three reports of UNESCO missions in Ouro Preto (1960-70). With a focus on the reports of the Portuguese architect Alfredo Viana de Lima whose plans took into account the guidelines of the Venice Charter, the intention is to understand the idea of natural landscape conveyed in such proposals for intervention. Thus, based on the key concepts of 'geontology' and 'geontopower', that describe a mode of power which operates through the governance of Life and Nonlife, the analysis is carried out identifying the distinction between this two ideas in order to situate the protagonist role of inhuman forms of existence (gold or the rock mountains) within Ouro Preto economy. We concluded that back to the Venice Charter context, which contributed to promote cultural tourism, the nature was considered as a formal and tactical concern, sometimes a transitional green area or a frame made of natural landscape. The intention is to rethink the division between nature and culture, in a reflection on the urgent integration of non-life into heritage preservation policies based on the case study of Ouro Preto.

Title of the Event: ICOMOS SCIENTIFIC SYMPOSIUM 2024
City of the Event: Ouro Preto
Title of the Proceedings of the event: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings
Name of the Publisher: Even3
Means of Dissemination: Meio Digital

How to cite

SILVA, Joana Vieira da; GUERREIRO, Paulo. THE CITY OF OURO PRETO AS A CASE STUDY TO DISCUSS THE KEY CONCEPT OF GEONTOPOWER.. In: ICOMOS 2024 Scientific Symposium Proceedings. Anais...Ouro Preto(MG) Convention Center / UFOP/ UFMG Campus, 2024. Available in: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/icomos-scientific-symposium-2024-439820/849093-THE-CITY-OF-OURO-PRETO-AS-A-CASE-STUDY-TO-DISCUSS-THE-KEY-CONCEPT-OF-GEONTOPOWER. Access in: 19/07/2025