(1) The Ghost of Grainger: From Preservation to Storytelling
The Grainger Museum is one of the University of Melbourne’s museums. It is a purpose-built autobiographical building for the collection of Ellan and Percy Grainger, with more than 100,000 items, including musical scores, manuscripts, and a collection of musical instruments. The museum was designed by the University of Melbourne architect, John Gawler in close exchange with the Graingers, and opened in 1938. The museum’s significance as a collection but also of its architecture is expressed through its inclusion in the Register of the National Estate and the Victorian Heritage Register, and its classification by the National Trust of Australia (Victoria).
As part of a university-wide digitization strategy, we created digital 3D models of the building, its surroundings, and interiors, through the use of Lidar laser scanning. While this generates a digital dataset that documents and preserves the heritage-listed building, we aim to go beyond the mere representation of the physical. Our creative research expands the notion of the building and its collection as a mere collection of physical artefacts. Through digital animation and storytelling, we express and make accessible the stories and histories of the collection and building. We represent atmospheric experiences, animated views, newly composed soundscapes, and interactive visualizations – exploring new modes of documentation and representation. Are we able to add layers to the physical and build through artistic explorations, using visual animations and soundscapes? How can we expand the understanding of the building and its collection for visitors and viewers? These are some of the questions we will discuss in this paper. This research demonstrates how a visitor- and viewer-centred approach to the museum and the collection allows for other experiences and relationships with the collection and the spaces of the Grainger Museum.
About the author:
Rochus Urban Hinkel
Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne
Rochus Urban Hinkel is an Associate Professor in Architecture and Design at the Melbourne School of Design, University of Melbourne. Through digital mixed reality technology, he explores new forms of spatiality, storytelling, and modes of collaboration. Rochus is the initiator and co-director of the Advanced Digital Design plus Fabrication (ADD+F) research hub at the Melbourne School of Design. His project Voices of Country was presented at Ars Electronica 2020; he currently holds The UniSA, SIDA Foundation and David Roche Foundation’s Curatorial Research Fellowship for his digital craft project ‘The Doppelgaenger’. Rochus holds a PhD by Creative Works and has taught architecture, interior design and industrial design in various positions, including Professor of Artistic Design at OTH Regensburg, Germany, as well as Professor of Interior Architecture and Furniture Design at Konstfack, University of Arts, Craft and Design, Stockholm. Together with Dr. Peter Raisbeck Rochus co-convenes the Politics and Utopia in Architecture conversation series.
(2) Raise the Roof: Mapping and Characterizing the Transformations of the Ifugao Bale in the Batad Rice Terraces
Significant change is observable within the landscape of Batad Rice Terraces, a UNESCO World Heritage site located in the Ifugao Province of the Philippines. One distinct fixture that is transforming within Batad’s landscape is the ‘bale’ or the traditional Ifugao house. The ‘bale,’ with its steep pyramidal thatched roof echoing the mountainous landform around it, is one of the most distinctive features of Batad. The traditional use of the ‘bale,’ is of course, as a residence. It also serves as a granary for harvested rice, with the topmost level considered as sacred – allocated for rice, heirloom articles and sculptures of the ‘bulul’ (rice guardians). Today, the bale(s) of Batad not only sit beside more modern-looking structures, their uses and configurations have also been transformed. This study aims to map, quantify, and characterize the transformations of Batad’s bale(s) through a multi-method, combining drone photogrammetry, GIS-based geo-tagging, and actual field visits to document the bales’ conditions. Two maps pertaining to Batad’s bale(s) were produced from the study. First, a map showing the categorization of each bale based on their current occupancy type, i.e., residential, agricultural, tourism-related, etc. The second map shows a five-tier categorization based on the level of the bales’ physical transformations (or conservation) in terms of design and material. Supplementing these maps are photo documentations of the bale(s), and anecdotal interviews with locals focusing on stories about the transformations of the traditional houses surveyed. All of these inform the narrative about the drivers of change, and factors that support the sustainability of the bale(s) in Batad’s landscape. Contrary to the popular supposition that tourism heavily contributes to the conservation of the ‘bales,’ the study uncovered that the continued existence of Batad’s ‘bales’ is still heavily dependent on its steady and active rice farming culture.
About the authors:
Marie Edraline B. Belga (Presenting)
University of the Philippines – College of Architecture (Diliman Campus)
Marie Edraline B. Belga is an Architect by profession. She finished both her BS Architecture, and MA in Urban and Regional Planning degrees from the University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus). Prior to joining the academe, she was part of the Human Settlements and Development of TAO-Pilipinas, Inc., a women-led technical service non-government organization that assist marginalized communities on housing, and security of tenure issues using participatory community development processes. Having roots from the Cordillera Region of the Philippines, she initiated several studies that focused on closely documenting the landscape sustainability factors of the Batad Rice Terraces. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor and member of the Building Science Studio Laboratory in the College of Architecture of the University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus). Her research interests lie in sustainable tourism development planning, and traditional construction methods.
Nappy L. Navarra (Presenting)
University of the Philippines – College of Architecture (Diliman Campus)
Nappy L. Navarra is from Mambusao, Capiz, Philippines. He finished both his BA Political Science, and B in Landscape Architecture from the University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus). He completed his Master in Tropical Landscape Architecture degree in the same institution. He proceeded to take his Doctor of Engineering Major in Environmental Planning and Design from the University of Tokyo. He currently serves as an Associate Professor in the College of Architecture, University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus). Aside from handling teaching loads, he is the present Coordinator of the Integrated Graduate Program and the head of the Environmental Landscape Studio-Laboratory, sitting as a member of the Executive Board of the said college. Aside from his practice in the academe, he is involved in design consultancy and projects in landscape planning and design that aim to create a positive impact on the environment and on the people.
Maria Faith Y. Varona (Presenting)
University of the Philippines – College of Architecture (Diliman Campus)
Maria Faith Y. Varona is an Architect and Environmental Planner by profession. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and her master’s degree in Urban Management and Development (Housing Specialization) from the Institute of Housing and Urban Development Studies – Erasmus University, the Netherlands, and Housing Development and Management – Lund University, Sweden. She is a founding member of TAO-Pilipinas, Inc., a women-led technical service non-government organization that works with poor communities on housing and security of tenure issues using participatory community development processes. She has been into urban poor housing and community development work for more than a decade before she joined the academe. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean of the College of Architecture in the University of the Philippines (Diliman Campus), and is pursuing a PhD in the Designed and Built Environment from the same institution.
(3) How to Integrate Architectural Heritage Conservation, Education, and Tourism?: The Case Study of Jingjiang Palace (Guilin, China)
Jingjiang Palace (the Mansion of Duke Jingjiang) is an important complex of the Ming Dynasty in China. Even though the ancient buildings have been destroyed during the war, leaving behind only archaeological ruins and city walls, the layout is well preserved. The existing buildings were built between 1946 and 1948, in “national style” and were used as the offices of Guangxi Provincial Government. In 1952, since the provincial capital city changed to Nanning, Jingjiang Palace has been used by Guangxi Normal University. In the last 20 years, the conservation of the site, the growth of the university and the tourist activity were not in tune with one another. The university’s expansion has led to the construction of additional buildings that touched the archaeological ruins underground. Besides, as an international tourist destination, Guilin needs to enrich its tourist resources, and Jingjiang Palace is a potential place of interest to be disclosed. The solution is that most parts of the university were relocated, except the School of Cultural Tourism and History, and the tourism is handed over to a company to operate. It is a compromised result for all the stakeholders. Nevertheless, it is proving to be effective. In terms of management and utilization, most of the existing buildings maintain their functions and tourism is controlled on a moderate scale. The school left on the site is closely linked to heritage conservation and management, and Jingjiang Palace itself has become the object of teaching and research. However, problems still exist as the physical division between education and tourism activities in the site is rigid, and the site is isolated from the citizens. The next step in the plan will be developing a graded and classified opening program based on assessing each building, breaking down physical boundaries, and opening the site to the citizens for different time slots.
About the authors:
Qian Du (Presenting)
Department of Architecture, Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Qian Du’s research focuses on cultural heritage conservation theory, techniques of historic building restoration and building pathology. Her research begins through the master course in Architectural Restoration and Rehabilitation at Polytechnic of Turin, where she also completed the PhD course in Cultural Heritage. The PhD thesis is about the conservation and renovation of the traditional mountain village. From 2012 to 2013, she worked at the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage (Beijing). From 2014 to 2016, she worked with Italian architect Andrea Bruno (Turin). From the end of 2016, she works at International Research Centre for Architectural Heritage Conservation of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and now she is an assistant researcher and a lecturer of the department of architecture.
Dong Xiao
Beijing Great Wall Culture Research Institute, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture
Dong Xiao is the Researcher of Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, the deputy-editor of Traditional Chinese Architecture and Gardens in Beijing, the member of the Military Heritage Committee of ICOMOS, and the member in the Expert Database of Cultural Heritage Preservation of the National Cultural Heritage Administration.
He is mainly engaged in the research, preservation, utilization, and disaster prevention and mitigation of historical buildings and cultural heritage. In recent years, he has paid special attention to the Great Wall, the fortress, the mausoleum, the Interlocked Timber-Arched Covered Bridges and the traditional dwellings.
He has been in charge of the preservation plannings and the conservation designs about them. He has achieved good results and is interesting in academic discussion, based on the research on the historic theory and the cultural heritage preservation about the Jingjiang Palace and the Jingjiang Mausoleums in Guilin, Guangxi, China, for a long term.
QNA Part 1
(4) Effective Cultural Heritage Protection: Problematic Laws and Straightening Mindset; Case Study: Laws and Protection of Heritage Sites in Indonesia
The role of heritage law is to protect cultural heritage, especially from the pressure of changes, new utilization and different development agendas. In many countries, such as Indonesia, various laws and legislations have been put up, not only for protection but also for ensuring developments. The study aims to map and examine the complexity, contradictions, and inconsistencies in laws and regulations related to protecting National Cultural Heritage sites in Indonesia. The research employed a qualitative analysis of the existing legal products (laws, decrees, regulations, etc.) as the primary data, supported by secondary data from the field observation and interviews in several heritage sites in Indonesia. Sites such as the UNESCO World Heritage site of Borobudur, Old City of Semarang that has been placed in the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List, and Gedong Songo Temple Complex’s archaeological site all are located in Central Java, Indonesia, are used as case studies. The study has found that the existing Cultural Conservation law needs to be protected by a new law that can harmonize all statutory regulations (laws, National government regulations, regional government regulations, ministerial decree, memorandum of understanding, etc.). On top of that, it requires a change of mindset of the state administrators and all stakeholders to resolve the problems to ensure an effective cultural heritage protection system. The lessons learned from the Indonesian case may be shared as learning points for legal students and scholars, legislators, and state administrators with similar problems.
About the authors:
Edy Lisdiyono (Presenting)
August 17, 1945 University of Semarang (Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 (UNTAG) Semarang)
Edy Lisdiono, SH., M.Hum, is a lecturer at the Faculty of Law UNTAG Semarang, teaching special fields of Civil Law and Environmental Law. Writer in the Journal of Ethics and Law in USA, Editor of the Journal Editor of Sriwijaya Law and the Ulrev Journal.
Liliana Tedjosaputro (Presenting)
August 17, 1945 University of Semarang (Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 (UNTAG) Semarang)
Liliana Tedjosaputro, SH. MH.MM, is a lecturer at the Faculty of Law UNTAG Semarang. Teaching special fields of Civil Law and Notary Law. From 1986 until 2019 as Notary-PPAT in Semarang City. Also honorary member of Ikatan Notaris Indonesia Semarang City.
Mochamad Riyanto (Presenting)
August 17, 1945 University of Semarang (Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 (UNTAG) Semarang)
Mochamad Riyanto SH. MH, MSi., is a lecturer at the Faculty of Law UNTAG Semarang. Scientific book writer “Kekerasan di Layar Kaca dan Kedaulatan Frekuensi”. Experience : Member and Chairman of The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission in 2007- 2010 and 2010-2013
Ridho Pakina (Presenting)
August 17, 1945 University of Semarang (Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 (UNTAG) Semarang)
Ridho Pakina, SH.MH. is a lecturer at the Faculty of Law UNTAG Semarang. Teaching special field in Technology Information Law. Experience: Member of General Election Commission at Kabupaten Semarang in 2008-2018
(5) Commodification or Education: Cultural Tourism Ethics from the Legal Perspective
The commodification of heritage can affect the social life of society, especially the education for the current and future generations. Moral values and ethics are used to regulate people’s behaviour to create order and the professional and legal guidelines in a particular time and place or location. Cultural Tourism policy utilizing cultural assets, including heritage city, to improve public welfare and increase economic growth, requires moral values and ethics in managing the nation’s cultural heritage. The paper will evaluate the city government’s policy in Semarang, Indonesia, to brand the Old City of Semarang to attract tourists and increase revenue from tourism development. The research questioned whether the growth of the economic sector by commodification in the cultural heritage of the Old City of Semarang still following the moral values of the community and educational ethics. A further question is on what is being done by the government to protect the nation’s cultural heritage, following the government’s tourism plan to increase local revenue by commodifying cultural places and heritage buildings. The empirical juridical approach is used in this research, and descriptive-analytical methods are implemented to analyse the collected data using structured interview techniques. A survey on tourist perceptions of the Old City of Semarang is added to strengthen the qualitative analysis. By learning from the case, the paper aims to improve and strengthen the legal and juridical aspects of managing heritage assets while maintaining a balance with economic growth through cultural tourism development. The study found that the city government’s tourism plan may increase the revenue and grow the community’s economic sector. But it has been unsuccessful in cultivating the moral and ethical values in preserving the authenticity of the cultural and historical narratives, especially in the Old City of Semarang, due to the inconsistencies and unclear laws, regulations, and their implementations.
About the author:
Yulies Tiena Masriani
Faculty of Law, August 17, 1945 University of Semarang (Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 (UNTAG) Semarang)
Dr.Hj.YULIES TIENA MASRIANI, SH, M.Hum, M.Kn., was born in Semarang, July 8, 1962 and studied at SD Negeri Seteran Semarang (1974), SMP Negeri I Semarang (1977), SMA Negeri I Semarang (1981) ) and obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from the Universitas 17 Agustus 1945 (UNTAG) Semarang on 30 December 1986. He obtained his Masters in Humanities (M.Hum) from the Postgraduate Program at Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) Semarang on 7 September 1998 and his Masters in Notary (M.Kn) from the Notary Masters Study Program at Diponegoro University (UNDIP) Semarang on March 12, 2009. and in 2018 obtained a Doctorate degree (Dr) from the State Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN) Wali Songo Semarang.
(6) City Stories: An Interactive Cultural History of Ethnic Diversity and Urban Change in Singapore’s Chinatown
As global cities rapidly change, the layers of cultural history embedded in them are often erased. How does the city communicate these invisible stories to its inhabitants? Initiated as a collaboration with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore, this paper will discuss a digital placemaking project entitled “City Stories: Mapping the Spatial Narratives of Singapore’s Landscapes” – a community storytelling platform and online resource on the multi-cultural identity and development of two of the oldest streets in Singapore, Telok Ayer and Amoy streets. Viewers can discover the changing landscapes of this area from Singapore’s shoreline to skyline by looking at sites of cultural heritage both tangible and intangible within the built environment. They can learn how this enclave known as Chinatown has historically been home to multiple ethnic communities whose everyday activities create a more variegated understanding of place and identity that complicates the narrative of Asian ethnic enclave formation initiated during the colonial period. In contrast to public exhibitions on urban planning that typically serve as an interface for visitors to learn about the city’s plans for the future, this project creates a way for visitors to immerse themselves in the narratives of Singapore’s disappearing past. Here digital technologies become a tool by which narratives of place and past are screened within an urban landscape that is continually shifting. This interactive project engages new media to create a greater awareness of the invisible histories of the built environment and the diversity of peoples who populate it. It asks what kind of urban interfaces could be designed to communicate between the hardware and software of the city, between its urban infrastructure and its public, and what overlooked stories could be uncovered in order to enrich our understanding of the urban landscapes we walk through in our everyday.
About the author:
Kristy H.A. Kang
School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University
Kristy H.A. Kang is a practice-based researcher whose work navigates the triangulation of place, geographies, and cultural memory. She is Assistant Professor at the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Her research interests combine urban and ethnic studies, mapping, and emerging media arts to visualize the cultural histories of cities and communities. Her works have been presented at the Getty Research Institute, Los Angeles; the Center for Art and Media, Karlsruhe; and the Jewish Museum, Berlin, among others and received the Jury Award for New Forms at the Sundance Online Festival. She was co-organizer of an international symposium on mediated public space “Emergent Visions: Adjacency and Urban Screens” (http://www.emergentvisions.net) and her article “Interfaces and Intentionalities: Adjacent Practices of Urban Media Art in Singapore” has been published in a special issue on Urban Interfaces in Leonardo Electronic Almanac.
QNA Part 2