ABOUT US
The Co.Co.War. Dissonant Heritage and War. Conservation and Communication of a Difficult Legacy is a National Research Program (Progetto di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale-PRIN) funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research. It involves three Italian universities: Alma Mater Studiorum-Università di Bologna, Università Politecnica delle Marche, and Politecnico di Torino. Each contributes a research unit to form an interdisciplinary network that focuses primarily on the study of Dissonant Heritage phenomena in the context of war and conflict.
The research addresses cultural assets characterized by controversial legacies and evolving historical significance. It fosters their conceptual understanding and strives to enhance future approaches to their conservation and interpretation through a comprehensive management strategy that integrates conservation practices with effective communication methodologies.
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The project, indeed, aims at developing innovative approaches for the study, preservation, and communication of this complex heritage, and together with a comprehensive body of knowledge it focuses on the development of tools and methodologies to address emerging risks, often stemming from manipulated communications and interpretative conflicts.
Ensuring the preservation and interpretation of this complex architectural and cultural legacy, the Co.Co.War program aspires to contribute to the academic discourse on heritage studies. It provides insights for professionals, policymakers, and communities, addressing the challenges of Dissonant Heritage.
From a broader perspective, the project fosters public engagement by promoting inclusive approaches to preservation and interpretation based on knowledge exchanges. In doing so, it engages in national and international cooperation and strives to promote reconciliation in contexts marked by historical conflicts.
Choeung Ek The Bhuddis Stupa at Killing Fields 2012
Cambodia – Timgray200
Dissonant heritage is characterized by values that, when misinterpreted or tabooed, can lead society to perceive the “negative” message as prevailing over the “positive” one, influencing the desire to preserve the cultural asset.
OUR WORK
Methodologically, the research involves comprehensive analyses of case studies that exemplify various aspects of Dissonant Heritage, examining their historical contexts, social impacts, and changing perceptions. Through this process, the research explores the phenomenon of re-signification, in which communities engage while reinterpreting and communicating the values of Dissonant Heritage beyond the associated stigma. While mapping situations where conflicts arise due to divergent interpretations, the Co.Co.War theoretical framework allows for a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of dissonance and seeks to identify effective strategies for preserving and communicating this heritage.
This approach paves the way for integrated and inclusive conservation practices and effective communication methodologies. To achieve these objectives, the Co.Co.War Research Program actively engages in cooperation with institutions and organizations at both national and international levels, promoting knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices in the field of Dissonant Heritage.
Genbaku Dome Side View of Hiroshima Memorial, 2006
Japan – Remiel
TEAM
The Co.Co.War Research Program is a collaborative initiative involving three Italian universities: Alma Mater Studiorum-Università from Bologna, Università Politecnica delle Marche, and Politecnico di Torino. Each university contributes a dedicated team unit led by Professor Leila Signorelli, Professor Chiara Mariotti, and Professor Emanuele Morezzi, respectively.
The program benefits from the expertise of numerous colleagues and the resources of various laboratories and research centers within these institutions, all working collectively towards the program’s objectives in the study, preservation, and communication of Dissonant Heritage.
Leila Signorelli
Emanuele Morezzi
Chiara Mariotti
Alessia Zampini
Tommaso Vagnarelli
Giorgio Danesi
Alessandro Ceppetelli
Valentina Gili
Santiago Araque
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Atrium of congress hall on Nazi party rally grounds in Nürnberg 2012
Germany – Tuxyso