Built between the 12th and the 14th century, Notre-Dame de Paris is widely considered as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, as well as one of the most recognised symbols of Paris and of France. On 15 April 2019, the cathedral caught fire, destroying the spire and the roof. The images of Notre-Dame burning rapidly spread all over the world, and triggered a wave of support and donations. Soon after, a question arose: how to reconstruct an iconic monument of French heritage today? Should we rebuild identically or reinterpret the monument in a contemporary way? How do we reappropriate heritage without distorting it? Pascal Asselin and Jonathan Truillet, through their experience in the reconstruction, will tell us how the living construction site of the famous cathedral and the many arts and crafts that are practised there provide answers to these major heritage questions.
The event will be conducted in English, with simultaneous interpretation from English to Cantonese available.
Speakers:
Pascal Asselin | President of the National Union of Construction Economists (Online)
Jonathan Truillet| Chief Curator of Heritage and Deputy Director of the Public Institution of Notre-Dame (Online)
Moderator:
Timothy Calnin | Director of Tai Kwun Arts
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Talk
8:00pm – 8:30pm
Q&A
Speaker Bio
Pascal Asselin
Pascal Asselin is the current president of “UNTEC”, the National Union of Construction Economists. He is a former auditor of historical monuments, civil buildings and national palaces, a position which allowed him to work on the Notre Dame site, soon after the fire. He wrote an economic analysis report on the architectural diagnosis of the reconstruction. As a specialist in the cost and financing of heritage projects, he has also appeared on several occasions in the French media to explain the issues surrounding the reconstruction of Notre-Dame.
Programmes You May Like
Loading
Tai Kwun Conversations - Notre Dame – How to rebuild a masterpiece of Gothic architecture in the 21st century?