spirit of place and reconciliation presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Western Museums Association September 25, 2011
Suzanne Bott, PhD, AICP
National Park Service – Pacific West
1. Definition of Spirit of Place
2. The Science behind SoP: Disciplines & Fields of Study
3. The Need for the Science
4. Components of SoP
5. Sacred Tea Ceremony
Spirit of Place is defined as:
the physical and spiritual elements that give meaning, value, emotion and mystery to place. (ICOMOS Declaration on the Safeguard of the Spirit of Place, 2008)
Tangible elements:
buildings, sites, landscapes, routes, objects
Intangible elements:
memories, narratives, written documents, rituals, festivals, traditional knowledge, values, textures, colors, fragrances
TANGIBLE
Physical
INTANGIBLE
Spiritual
TANGIBLE
Setting Natural &
Built Environment
INTANGIBLE
Setting
Social
TANGIBLE
Personal Functional
INTANGIBLE
Personal Spiritual &
Psychological
A System of Overlapping Layers
• Environmental Psychology – the relationship of humans to environment
• Phenomenology – “Being in a Place”
• Anthropology – humanity
• Biology – living systems (Biophilia)
• Ecopsychology – the relationship of humans to natural systems
• Geography –Topophilia & Geopiety
• Western Medicine – The Science and Art of Healing
• Eastern Medicine – Spirit, Qi or Chi
• Green Building for physical health & sustainability
• BLUE Building for Healing the Spirit?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44661255/ns/technology_and_science-science/?GT1=43001
Yoh Isogai and Catherine Dulac
Harvard University 09/25/11
The two most important needs in the aftermath of conflict:
• to affirm a sense of identity • to regain control over one’s life
People seek solace in that which is familiar and cherished (i.e., home)
(ICCROM: Cultural Heritage in Postwar Recovery, Stanley-Price, 2005)
Physical connection to a place (Tangible) • The Physical Hearth – A Physical Home • Shelter is a fundamental need
Emotional connection to place (Intangible) • A Virtual Hearth - Spiritual Shelter &
Safety, Emotional Refuge, Relief, Rest • Kinship, Recognition, Belonging
• Processing of sensory / therapeutic stimuli
• Multi-sensory: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell
• Vegetation, Water, Sunlight & Shade
• Energy – Feng Shui (Wind & Water), Qi,
Ionic energy, Ley lines, Morphic fields
• Restorative Value (Medicinal)
• Connection to a Higher Power or Cosmos
• Connection to our ancestors
• Understanding the “Story” –Authenticity
• Emotions - Awe, Delight, Humor, Joy,
Mystery, Surprise, Wonder, Fun
• Compassion and Respect
Context – of the place, understanding the setting (Design with Nature - Ian McHarg)
Architectural style - beauty and authenticity (A Pattern Language - Christopher Alexander)
Fundamentals - The Golden Mean & Sacred Geometry; Scale, Balance Proportion, Symmetry
Accessibility – Both Physical and Spiritual
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker/Released
Spirit of Place and Reconciliation: Pearl Harbor Sacred Tea Ceremony July 19, 2011
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel Barker/Released U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico/RELEASED
Dr. Genshitsu Sen, the 15th Grand Tea Master of the Urasenke School of Tea prepares tea to honor the deceased entombed at the USS Arizona Memorial and to pray for world peace
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico/RELEASED
Pearl Harbor survivors Alfred Rodrigues, left, Rey Emory, and Sterling Cale,
right, are honored at the USS Arizona Memorial Photo: AP 19, 2011
U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico/RELEASED
Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA)
Architectural & Environmental Phenomenology (EAP)
Academy for Neuroscience and Architecture (AFNA)
The Center for Health Design - Evidence-based Design Accreditation and Certification (EDAC)
ICOMOS – Declaration on the Safeguard of the Spirit of Place, 2008 (ICOMOS - Paris)
ICCROM – Cultural Heritage in Postwar Recovery, 2008 (ICCROM - Rome)
Healing Spaces – Esther Sternberg, MD
View Through a Window - Roger Ulrich, Texas A&M
A Pattern Language – Christopher Alexander
Sacred Geometry – Robert Lawlor
The Power of Limits – Gyorgi Doczi
Genius Loci – Christian Norberg Schulz
Design with Nature – Ian McHarg