The Role of Poetics at at Tense World Heritage Site: Pasargadae, Islamic Republic of Iran

Описание: Pasargade, a pre-Islamic World Heritage site in the Islamic Republic of Iran poses particular interpretation challenges, this paper analyzes approaches to interpretation which could be consistent with contemporary Iranian Islamic values.

Two types of interpretation dominate heritage sites. The first is chronology which is often an adequate way to show the depth of the past. The second approach is one of provocation derived from dialogue; typically curatorial provocation today in western countries raises questions about immigration, race and gender, issues in the post World War II civil rights framework. At Pasargadae it is possible that neither approach would be workable. A paper to be presented at this conference by my colleague, Ali Mozaffari, analyzes the complexities posed by the political and historical background of Pasargadae. My paper proposes a solution to the interpretation problem.

Whereas chronology might be unacceptable in an Islamic context because teleologically the site does not lead to the establishment of an Islamic society, and provocation in a western style might give grave offence, this paper argues that interpretation based on poetics offers an opportunity for a rich interpretation of the site.

Interpretation based on poetics insists on the reality of the site today it takes into account elements such as light, shade, vegetation, patterns of movement and an imaginative engagement with the past in a way not permitted by customary interpretations derived from chronology and provocation. Poetics centre the spectator leading to an active reading position. Effectively, there is not the typical separation of a visitor from the physical and emotional aspects of the site, the visitor becomes embedded in the place.
(By: Dr Jennifer Harris, Head of Cultural Heritage, School of Built Ennvironment, Curtin University)