The concept of intangible heritage literally seems to empower interpretive stories extended from object-centered heritage. It consequently pre-supposes a new landscape to existing practices， which traditional museums have considered in relation to collecting, documenting, and exhibiting something static, exceptional, genuine, good and old or even archaic. This paper discusses three main questions in relation to museum narratives and the cultural access agenda: firstly it starts with the rationale for safeguarding intangible heritage. Secondly this question is extended to the politics around selecting and interpreting heritage. Lastly it discusses what the author views as overlapping questions about a deep-rooted tradition of scientific, materialistic interpretations of museum objects and the authority of a museum. Rather than suggesting theorized views, this paper proposes open-ended questions. As a way of reflecting on these questions, two womens' stories from Jeju island and the author’s personal experiences are introduced as cases for discussion. The aim of illustrating rather subjective voices is to attempt to find a closer approach to the complexities underpinned around the concept of intangible heritage. The use of subjective qualities embedded in story-centered perspectives, seem not only to challenge the curatorial underpinning of the scientific museological “voice", but may also require a new set of tools on how to appropriate intangible within a cognitive system based on handling of material heritage .
Introduction Two women stories from Jeju island Why safeguarding the intangible Which/whose stories could be included in the lists of heritage? Diverse narratives and the authority of a museum Towards further discussions References Online resources