Meighen Katz, Lovell Chen (Architects and Heritage Consultants)
PROPOSAL TYPE
Structured Conversation
Seeking
- Seeking Additional Presenters
- Seeking General Feedback and Interest
- Seeking Specific Expertise
RELATED TOPICS
- Place
- Public engagement
- Reflections on the field
ABSTRACT
How might encouraging visitors to a museum or public history site to play become part of an interpretive strategy? This conversation explores the ways in which play might be used in encouraging visitors, children and adults, to encounter history or challenging ideas, or space and place. It explores innovative ways play has been a part of interpretation but also discusses some of the inherent challenges.
DESCRIPTION
Increasingly in my own work as a public history practitioner, I’m interested in the ways we can use play as interpretive medium. I’m particularly interested in the use of playgrounds as interpretive immersive elements. The use of art installations is becoming increasingly common in private/commercial interpretive commissions in Australia. In working on those, I find myself asking whether rather than just installing something big for people to look at, we can install something that encourages something more active in its interpretive approach.
So I’m interested in creating a discussion about the way that play-for both children and adults- can work within an interpretive strategy. I’m especially interested in unstructured play such as playgrounds, but I don’t see the need for the discussion to be limited to just that aspect.
I’m hoping for a wide-ranging discussion that considers a range of approaches and/or medium and really explores both the benefits and challenges. I’ve put it as a structured conversation but I’m open to other formats.
My one caveat in applying is that I live in Melbourne and I don’t yet know when the Australian borders will reopen. I’m hoping by the end of this year but I may end up having to be a virtual attendee.
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: Meighen Katz, Lovell Chen (Architects and Heritage Consultants), [email protected]
ALL FEEDBACK AND OFFERS OF ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 1, 2021. If you have general ideas or feedback to share, please feel free to use the comments feature below.
Meighen, what a great idea! I love this with a focus on adults because so often play in museums is centered around children. Sometimes you still see it with art installations for adults (if we have a loose understand of what play is). The Nelson Atkins in Kansas City has a great outdoor sculpture area with a glass maze and several massive badminton birdies – so an actual depiction of play! – and that has led to the sculpture area and lawn being a much more relaxed space that is used for actual play than I often see in these art museum sculpture garden spaces. Perhaps you could reach out to someone there? Here are a few names for you: Amy Berridge (Manager, School Workshops), Leslie Neth (Teacher, Ford Learning Center), Christina Shutts (Coordinator, Docent and Tour Programs), and Marla Van Thournout (Educator, Museum Volunteers).
Hi Meighen,
I think this is a great topic proposal. Recently on the NCPH instagram account, Sarah Marsom shared a post about how she incorporates fun into her work in preservation. You might check that post out (it’s from Friday, June 25th over on @publichistorians) and you can also check out her website here: https://www.sarahmarsom.com/