Cultural Heritage as a Driver of Innovation and Creativity in Contemporary Art and in My Own Photography Practice
Cultural Heritage as a Driver of Innovation and Creativity in Contemporary Art and in My Own Photography Practice

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines the role of cultural heritage as a driver for creativity and innovation in contemporary art, including my own photographic production. The central argument is that intangible cultural heritage includes subjective experiences that function as a lens for understanding of individual’s identity and as a source of artistic inspiration. By drawing on theoretical perspectives from cultural heritage, psychology and art, the paper situates intangible heritage as an active agent in artistic production. The discussion first explains the connection between intangible cultural heritage, an individual’s identity and artistic creation. Then it highlights the works of two contemporary artists who use heritage as base material for their art, from Ai Weiwei’s engagements with Chinese cultural memory to Marina Abramović’s exploration of Yugoslav history and rituals. Building on these examples, the paper then turns to my own photographic projects, which engage with the heritage of the Western Balkans. Through themes of inherited customs and cultural memory, I seek to both honor and critically reframe cultural narratives. Ultimately, these examples demonstrate a pathway for contemporary art to not only preserve, but transform and re-imagine cultural heritage, especially in ways that address questions of one’s identity.

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