Deceiving Dichotomies: On the Interrelation of the Archive and the Cultural Memory Canon

Tyler Youngman, Sebastian Modrow, Isaac Meth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This paper explores the conceptual relationship between archives and canonization by amending Aleida Assmann's cultural memory framework of Canon and Archive to consider ongoing debates in archival theory and practice. The process of canonization concerns the selection, value, and duration of cultural memory. The formation and function of archives are marked by processes of appraisal (record evaluation and selection), acquisition (record transfer), and preservation (record duration). Placing A. Assmann's framework in conversation with the informational frameworks of de Fremery and Buckland, we observe how at any given time (a past/present context), records (documents) are selected (perception) because of their value in signaling memories and community histories (affordances) while serving as a durable medium for restabilizing identities (use) across time (a present/future context).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)697-702
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the Association for Information Science and Technology
Volume61
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2024

Keywords

  • Archives
  • Canonization
  • Collective Memory
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Cultural Memory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Computer Science
  • Library and Information Sciences

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