Documenting intangible cultural heritage through the medium of photography : spirit of place

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate how the medium of photography can document the Spirit of Place. Since this characteristic of place is of intangible nature, the Spirit of Place can only be perceived and not seen nor touched. The challenge presented itself in the execution of image making - how can one take a photo of something whose characteristics are intangible? The study looks at how places came out of spaces, and how dwellings were created. The creation of the Spirit of a Place came about from the people inhabiting and identifying themselves with the place. The study also looks at how physical subjects such as buildings, dwellings, churches, chapels, niches and other architectural features found in a place can indicate towards a presence of this Spirit due to their symbolic meanings tied to the people inhabiting the place. The study consisted of three methods of investigation. Qualitative interviews were conducted to extract criteria for the practical project. Then photographs were used in the focus groups in order to find out how participants read images and find out how and in which images the Spirit of Place has been documented.