Seeing through others’ eyes: understanding the aesthetics and meanings of place
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journal contribution
posted on 2024-06-18, 07:20authored byC Johnston
‘Some people say that there is nowhere else in Australia like Broken Hill. Do you agree?’ This was one of a series of questions that explored how Broken Hill people see themselves and their city. Can a stark mining landscape be beautiful? What is it that shapes a town like Broken Hill, and how can we understand the nuances of meaning that make this place special in the eyes of those who know it most intimately? Essential to the assessment of the National Heritage aesthetic and social values of the Broken Hill City was understanding the city’s aesthetic qualities, and who values them. Using the inspirational landscapes approach, combined with an online survey, careful analysis of art and literary sources and other social research, a picture emerged of a community with a strongly articulated sense of identity and a passionate connection to this place. This paper examines the foundations for and methods used to gain an understanding of the social and aesthetic values of the Broken Hill City. It offers a case study on the use of some new and emerging methods available to heritage professionals involved in community-based assessments. The paper will also discuss the challenges in trying to ‘see through the eyes of others’ and the potential for applying these methods to other complex, populated places.
History
Journal
Historic Environment: Outback and Beyond
Volume
Volume 28
Pagination
26-39
Location
Melbourne
ISSN
0726-6715
Language
English
Publication classification
C3.1 Non-refereed articles in a professional journal