MIKE CRONIN, PROFESSOR, BOSTON COLLEGE
Proposal Type
Panel
Seeking
- Seeking Additional Presenters
Related Topics
- Digital
- Government Historians
- Memory
Abstract
Between 2013 and 2023 the Irish State is commemorating various events from a century ago that led to the formation of the modern independent state. While these events, such as Ireland’s participation in WW1 and the 1916 Rising, have been marked through ‘traditional’ means such as museum exhibits and television documentaries, our response was ten year long digital engagement with the events of a century ago. Through our website www.rte.ie/centuryireland and associated social media, we track the day to day events of a century ago (both in Ireland and internationally) with the aim of helping people understand these complex events via the digital presentation of the past. But how does the digital function as part of commemoration?
Description
I am interested in how significant historical events are commemorated to the public digitally, an how the past is brought to life. Clearly one aim for our project was to disrupt the idea of historical inevitability, a linear sense of the past, and to introduce complexity and a sense of events unfolding in realtime. I am interested in joining panelists to discuss the power of the national narrative, and how this is challenged by transnational perspectives. I am also intrigued by the process of the curation of digital public history, and how far the layers of archival material, expert commentary and context, as well as illustrations and animations add to the depth of what can be accessed. Also, in my view, digital cannot stand alone, so how do we ensure that our project sits alongside other media, museum and gallery exhibits, and, in the case of this project, how it works with state agencies how are creating acts of national commemoration?
I would like to find fellow panel members who are interested in coming together to see how national commemorative histories function in the public history and digital space.
If you have a direct offer of assistance, sensitive criticism, or wish to pass along someone’s contact information confidentially, please get in contact directly: MIKE CRONIN, [email protected]
If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
hi mike! very interesting topic. i know of two folks who do work on digital history and irish history, although how much they overlap for each i am uncertain. julie davis, @historianonfire, and margo shea, http://www.theflickeringlamp.org/, both are lovely people. it might be worth an email inquiry!
best,
lara kelland