Projects / Programmes
Objects and prestige: taste, status, and power (Researches of the material culture in Slovenia)
January 1, 2013
- December 31, 2017
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 6.01.00 |
Humanities |
Historiography |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| H230 |
Humanities |
Modern history (up to circa 1800) |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 6.01 |
Humanities |
History and Archaeology |
Researchers (12)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Our research that started in 1984 is charged with the task of interpreting the world of objects from today's Slovenian territory from the time that it became Slovenian until the present. Because of that, we would like to continue the discovering of mechanisms whereby this particular world of objects arose. Previous research has already contributed valuable knowledge and findings, and has also demonstrated the importance of material culture as a part of historiography.
We are the only research group dealing with these problems (besides archaeology). Our advantage is the vast collection of the National Museum of Slovenia.
In this program we would like to research a city. We would like to examine different aspects of a city, for instance military/defense, cultural, and financial functions of a city, crafts and guilds, and a city as a space of communication. Our topics of research will be actual Slovenian towns and cities. We set specific goals, they are listed below.
We will use the methods of humanities (history, numismatics, and art history) and methods of natural sciences, especially non-destructive spectroscopic measurements. With the research of written and visual sources (pictures, frescoes, prints), with comparisons and expert methods, and with the results of materials science methods we will show, how strong and elaborate was defense in certain Slovenian cities, technology of armor making, the trade with weapons in Slovenian territory, what were the interiors of homes like, which symbols of prestige were used by townsmen, which, how large and how important were the collections of books, the royalty fees and the role of female printers, what kind of communications were taking place in Slovenian towns and cities, etc.
We will include the results of our research in higher education at two Slovenian universities (in Ljubljana and in Maribor). We will include them into programs for the users of the National Museum of Slovenia, and in other programs for other commissioners, even for non-budgetary ones. We will present them at the international conferences and in scientific articles, translated in English.
The research program team consists of renowned researchers. The program leader from National Museum of Slovenia is experienced researcher who led or was involved in 10 research projects (3 international). She has an extensive bibliography (source: COBISS) and 48 clear quotations in WoS. She is also an assistant professor at the Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor.
Significance for science
Given the relatively slow development of some fields in Slovenian historiography compared to the rest of Europe, the research of urban settlements, their everyday life and material culture remains a great desideratum. This goal can only be achieved through interdisciplinary work. Our research program can therefore address a highly problematic grey area of our history.
Slovenian movable cultural heritage is a part of European and world CH. Our publications from scientific monographs to exhibition catalogues are always translated in English language. Thus, they help to manage the interaction between local and foreign scientific discoveries.
With interdisciplinary connections to natural sciences we opened a new area of interdisciplinary research in the field of material culture. Only archeologists were using these methods before us. They are also important on international level – this proves a fair amount of quotations. Acknowledgment of our results is one of important issues for the development of science.
Significance for the country
In the field of economic, the research program will mainly impact the tourism, e. g. by incorporating research findings in permanent and temporary exhibitions, exhibition catalogues and other accompanying publications at National Museum of Slovenia, Bled castle, and Snežnik castle. Guided sightseeing tours will enrich the tourism and will cause the development of new touristic destinations. New souvenirs will be made, inspired by original cultural heritage objects. The results of research will be included in other materials, intended for broad audience (from the filed of education and leisure [edutainment] – films, interactive presentations, 3D reconstructions, etc.). The basic medium for us is the exhibition, which is an excellent opportunity to include our scientific results – it is intended directly towards the users.
Our opinion is that the impact on tourism would be significant.
The next very important socio-economic and cultural field with the impact of our research work is preservation of the cultural heritage. In this issue, conservation and restoration are of vital importance. In planning and performing of CR proceedings, our research and analytical procedures are quite important.
For the national awareness and cultural development of Slovenia it is very important to study the past of our territory and to spread the knowledge to the citizens, to strengthen the awareness of national affiliation, to develop local identity of Slovenian towns and cities, to enrich Slovenian cultural heritage, etc.
With the publishing of the results in foreign languages in internally acknowledged scientific magazines and monographs, with participation at the international conferences and in international projects, we will contribute to the promotion of Slovenian science.
Our research is important for education process since it is and will be included into higher education at two Slovenian universities (in Ljubljana and Maribor). We strive to direct the education of young professionals and future scientists. In this scope mentorship to doctoral candidates and young researchers is our contribution to the development of knowledge.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
