On the 7thNov I met with Prof Lilley (Queens University Belfast) to give him an update on my project. I went with the intent that hopefully Living Legacies would be able to support me with my outcome of my project. I printed off 8×6 images from all my previous modules to give a quick run down of how my project had progressed. The meeting went well and he gave me lots of references/resources to look at such as the PRONI and their application to layer aerial maps from past to present, so I will have a look at that. Prof Lilley confirmed that they would be able to help with costs of printing an exhibition, publication and perhaps putting together some sort of events day that I could present my work and there be an opportunity for speakers to come in and talk around the subject. He did also mention that they had some sort of exhibition on in May (I didn’t write it down annoyingly but will email to clarify) I wasn’t sure if I could get my project out by then but we will see. So all in all very pleased, just shows networking is so important and can take a little time but if you succeed with getting help with your project then it’s worth it.
I met with PhD student Rebecca Milliagan on the 20thNov at Queens University. Milligan’s research currently is on hauntology and landscape of WW2 airfields within Northern Ireland. It was great to talk about this subject with somebody that is researching the airfields with a GIS and archaeology background. I got her to explain what hautology is and how she applies that to her research. Which I think it looks at the past, present and future but to be honest I’m not entirely sure I’ll put this link in from the guardian https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2011/jun/17/hauntology-critical
We spoke about preservation as a concept, what it means. I strongly agree that by preserving a site you creating an artificial space its unnatural, the airfields will never return to its original existence so you creating a historical monument by preserving them. Not all of them need preserving and its better that the site is returned to the landscape. Many communities see them as an eyesore, they are left to decay because no one will fit the bill to have them taken down or regenerated. With each community there is always conflict of differences with what is heritage and what is not.
We also discussed with how these sites are perceived through todays cultures and these cultures can be specific to each site. Things to think about for each site, if the memories of the site were about American soldiers or English soldiers being Northern Ireland politics has to be considered. How will cultures of the future view these sites? The best outcome for these sites would be if the building were regenerated into private dwellings or industrial use because they would still be apart of societies now and in futures to come.
I presented my imagery and asked Milligan what do think is important to this body of work? and she said the narrative. Meaning the sites themselves and my personal journey of discovering these sites- phenomenology. Milligan said the imagery is great but without the narrative to draw people in then its just facts and abandoned spaces. Adding the context to these images is going to be very important to my work, I think going into my FMP I will shoot all of imagery first, make the edit of final images. Then add the context that will best suit my work and the intent that I’m trying to deliver.
Critical Research Journal 