目標

The goal of the course is to give students the techniques methodologies on translating cultural heritage to contemporary interpretation and to decipher visual language of symbols and narratives. By recreating historic images for their modern/ contemporary meaning, it is to be recalled by current communities who associate with the areas identified on the historic photos. I addition, students will develop their skills on conducting quasi ethnographic research in the rural area of the Badland. After the filed study, a Suitcase of Cultural Memory that associates with the studied area will be created as tool to interact with community seniors to stimulate their collective story about the area as well as recalling personal memories. Reinterpretation and recreation of cultural heritage which prompts to engage with the current society by introducing contemporary meaning of embedded associations. It is to challenge contemporary icon recreated from interpretation and translations of historic materials would deliver stimulated visuals and intervention for local residents to recall individual and collective memories.

授課內容

This course aims at opening a discussion of “narratives of cultural heritage” in relation to ongoing changes in contemporary society. The narratives of cultural heritage are taken to broader scope, which can be explored to traditional folklore, artefacts, historic sites, archaeological ruins, memorials and museums… Heritage and its narratives have strong performative strength. This course enlightening perspective from case study focuses on award winning cultural heritage project nominated by Europa Nostra to exploit innovative precedents for selected heritage sites locally.

After studying the precedent cases, students will be guided to explore ethnographic approach to local heritage- residents and their inherited past, the heritage trails of Dr. James Laidlaw Maxwell in the Badland area of Zuocheng. By exploring interconnections and life associated with the past, students will be able to dig deeper about each heritage site along the trail. Course will provide tools and methods to present ultimate stimulation material kits for enlighten the communication between students as artistic facilitators and local elderlies in order to elicit as well as bridge up personal and collective memories with the past.