Visiting Rome, Or: The temptation of thinking in evolutionary stages of interpretation

Last week I came back from my first trip to Rome. What an amazing place! However, as someone working in heritage, I thought what probably thousands of heritage professionals before me have thought: this interpretation (if you can even call it that) is just terrible [1]. Signs were cluttered, randomly placed and half of the … Continue reading Visiting Rome, Or: The temptation of thinking in evolutionary stages of interpretation →

A good book on the wall?

Now here's an oxymoron in most interpreters' view: how can any panel that reads like 'a book on the wall' ever be good? And of course these interpreters are right in pointing out that rows upon rows of text are highly unlikely to be read and they will probably fail to get a memorable and … Continue reading A good book on the wall? →

Down with the panel! – Or maybe not just yet?

The current issue of AHI's Interpretation Journal is entirely devoted to words - and an inspiring debate about whether or not we should lay the interpretive panel to rest. Verity Walker of Interpretaction rightly points out that too often, panels are the default when interpretation is sought. She bemoans many panels' formal, nondescript voice and … Continue reading Down with the panel! – Or maybe not just yet? →