Heritage at the Periphery; the York Street vaults, the Roman baths, bath

Littlefield, David

Abstract

The York Street vaults form the southern periphery of the Roman Baths, located within the wider World Heritage Site of the city of Bath itself. A long-term study of these vaults have highlighted tensions within contemporary notions of heritage and authenticity; further, the use of art-based practices focusing on light installation and film have attempted to re-present these spaces. The study also explores “symmetrical archaeology” (the notion that the past and present co-exist in a complex but equal relationship) and considers “essentialism” - the manner in which inanimate objects/spaces can be invested with meaning and invisible qualities.

Citation

Littlefield, D. (2012). Heritage at the Periphery; the York Street vaults, the Roman baths, bath. In R. Morrow, & M. Abdelmonem (Eds.), Peripheries (129-141). Routledge

• Publication Date: Oct 31, 2012
• Deposit Date: Nov 7, 2012
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 28, 2016
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 129-141
• Series Title: AHRA Critiques Series
• Book Title: Peripheries
• ISBN: 9780415640305
• Keywords: heritage, periphery, film, installation, essence, authenticity, light, art practice, Roman, tourism, place
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/942660
• Publisher URL: http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415640305/