(in)significance: a discussion about values and valuing in heritage
A one-day
symposium, Friday 15 May 9–5pm
Ann Harding Conference Centre, Building 24, University of Canberra
Programme (PDF 129KB)
Resources from the (in)significance symposium
Speakers: Steve Brown, Kristal Buckley, Veronica Bullock, Denis Byrne, Adam Dickerson, Ursula Frederick, Bronwyn Hanna, Jane Harrington, Geoff Hinchcliffe, Tracy Ireland, Angelina Russo, Tim Sherratt, Robyn Slogett, Laurajane Smith, Sharon Sullivan, Alison Wain, Tim Winter and Linda Young.
Conveners: Tracy Ireland and Steve Brown
The notion of 'significance' is a central concept for heritage conservation in many parts of the world—it describes what the institutions of heritage choose to remember and what they choose to forget. Used in American historic preservation legislation from the late 19th century, and in the 1964 Venice Charter, in Australia the Burra Charter (Australia ICOMOS 1979) introduced the phrase 'places of cultural significance', a concept that emphasised meanings over monuments.
Determining significance is a process of ascribing values – culturally constructed meanings or qualities attributed by individuals and groups to a heritage object, place or landscape. Valuing heritage has led to practices that typically list, rank and then privilege particular values – at world, national and local levels.
At the symposium we hope to explore the history, theory and practical application of the concept of significance and broach the idea of insignificance.
Questions that may be addressed include:
- What is standard practice for the application of significance in heritage, museums, archives, libraries and other locations?
- What is being taught at tertiary levels on the theory and application of significance?
- How does significance assessment intersect with concepts of ethics, social justice and sustainability?
- How do recent critiques of nature/culture dichotomies impact on significance assessment?
- How does recent research into the affective and emotional dimensions of heritage impact significance assessment?
- Are there clear and well-understood distinctions between materials, materiality and values?
- How do concepts of significance work within the digital domain?
- Are values past, present or future oriented?
- What is the ongoing influence of modernist concepts of universal value?
- What are the challenges for implementing a threshold-based values approach?
- What are the current critiques and do they have traction?
- What theoretical roadblocks, research and creative directions for practice might we recognise in responding to such questions?
This one-day symposium will comprise short presentations and themed panel discussions, with ample opportunities for participation and debate. Many of Australia's leading heritage researchers, teachers and practitioners will participate from diverse fields including museums, libraries and archives, archaeology, digital humanities, conservation and heritage studies. The symposium will appeal to those with an interest in critical heritage studies and reflective heritage practice and is also recommended for postgraduate students.
Associated events
Heritage Education Network (HEN) meeting
14 May, 4:30pm
Hot House Studio, Level C, Building 1, University of Canberra
RSVP: Tracy.Ireland@canberra.edu.au
'Object Stories' Book Launch
14 May, 6:30pm
Teaching Commons, Level C, Building 1, University of Canberra (above the main refectory)
Edited by Steve Brown, Anne Clark and Ursula Frederick
To be launched by Centenary Professor Ross Gibson
Registration
Please register before Monday 10 May (Registration after this date may not be included in catering numbers).
Full-fee | $50 (incl GST) |
Full-time students | $20 (incl GST) |
REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
Contact
For more information please contact: Tracy.Ireland@canberra.edu.au
Insignificance image by: Katie Hayne and Ursula Frederick