Karl May and his creation, the fictional Apache chieftain Winnetou, make a great example of heritage that is built on appropriated selections of the past, not necessarily one’s own and not necessarily historically accurate either, for a purpose that is far removed from the original source. It is an example of heritage as emotional, social … Continue reading Winnetou & I, Or: A Special Kind of German Heritage
Category: Interpretation
Interpreting Art
Over recent months I’ve had numerous discussions about art and interpretation. Many people suggest that art doesn’t need interpretation. As someone who began her university career in the arts before entering the field of interpretation and heritage, I find this stance puzzling [1]. And the more I think about it, the more troubled I am … Continue reading Interpreting Art
Heritage Censure?
Recently, I strolled through my local woods and came across a carved Irminsul leaning against a tree some way back from the path. Intrigued, I made my way over, to find that the Irminsul had runes carved across the top. Now, my rune reading skills are a little rusty. But after a while I established … Continue reading Heritage Censure?
Interpreting Germany
Since returning to my country of birth last year after nearly 20 years away, I have become acutely aware not only of how I have changed, but also how the country has changed. So now, in addition to catching up with the sites and topics that I am responsible for managing and interpreting, I am … Continue reading Interpreting Germany
Interpreting Authenticity
I am currently coordinating two working groups, one on authenticity and one on inclusivity, for ICOMOS ICIP [1] and Interpret Europe [2]. To be truthful, I thought I would most enjoy the discussion on inclusivity. As it turns out, it is the conversations that we are having around the concept of authenticity that I personally … Continue reading Interpreting Authenticity
Heritage Resistance
It is great to see American museums, national heritage organisations and professional organisations mount a resistance against the divisive and dangerous policies of the new Trump Administration. And it is great that museums and heritage professionals as well as institutions elsewhere discuss these same issues and show solidarity. However, we must ensure that for … Continue reading Heritage Resistance
Interpretation in a Post-Factual World
A couple of weeks ago, the Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache (Society for the German Language) declared ‘post-factual’ as word of the year 2016. As we enter into 2017, the post-factual approach to reality and politics appears set to continue. So I want to consider what this might mean for heritage interpretation. Accepted interpretive philosophy … Continue reading Interpretation in a Post-Factual World
Agonistic Interpretation?
Sometimes you read a book and think: this is so centrally relevant to what I have been thinking that I cannot believe I’ve missed this all this time. Chantal Mouffe’s book Agonistics. Thinking the World Politcally (London: Verso 2013) was such a book for me [1]. Antagonism Mouffe in effect argues that negativity and … Continue reading Agonistic Interpretation?
The Cultural Sector: Will Hybris Lead to Our Fall?
I’ve been thinking a lot recently about ‘culture’ on one hand, and ‘the cultural sector’ on the other. The two are not the same, although many in the cultural sector seem inclined to claim they are. I am going to call that hybris. And I wonder if such hybris will cause – and may … Continue reading The Cultural Sector: Will Hybris Lead to Our Fall?
Professional or not? Thoughts on an example.
I recently heard a short description about an interpretive encounter that made me think again about the construction of heritage, the use of interpretation to represent that particular view of heritage, and the social structures that are expressed and recreated in doing so. The anecdote concerned a guided tour with a school group [1]. … Continue reading Professional or not? Thoughts on an example.
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