Heritage interpretion by means of art : case studies of adaptively reused buildings : Oil Street Art Space, Cattle Depot, and Comix Home Base

Abstract

 Adaptive reuse is a process of finding new life for a building. Among the many recent adaptive reuse projects in Hong Kong, the practice of converting heritage building into art and exhibition venue has seen a growing potential, giving rise to a museological identity for the historical buildings. This concept is, however, nothing innovative. As early as the end of 18th century, old heritage building buildings were converted into museums – a specific architecture that is associated with preserving, researching and communicating collections through permanent or temporary exhibitions which formulates a particular discourse. In the 20th century, an emphasis on visitor facilities, educational and workshop spaces, bookstores and snack shops has become an increasing demand on modern museums and hence the building requirements need to be considered in a more comprehensive way.

Such integration of museum mechanism also means an integrated visiting experience. On one hand, the adaptively reused building functions as an envelope which contains specific curatorial content; on the other hand, the envelope is the content on its own and it fuses with exhibitions and programmes to form multiple layers of heritage interpretation. While the building fulfils the requirements as a museum and inherits its historical context as an architectural heritage, interpretation of such place has become a dynamic and challenging process. In addition, it is important to understand architecture as an art form, and to consider art as a medium to initiate interpretation as well as a subject to be interpreted.

This dissertation examines the effects of art programmes and exhibitions on interpreting adaptively reused historic buildings. It involves a study of a number of Hong Kong art museum spaces created in the past decade, and evaluates the capability of programmes and/or exhibits in response to the interpretation of heritage fabric. It also aims to review the pros and cons of using art as a means of interpreting heritage, and hence establish a set of recommendations for other similar adaptive reuse projects in the future.

Taking a more contemporary and inclusive definition of museums, this research considers the term “Art Museum” as a complex dedicated to art exhibition, programmes, education and residency, although these spaces may not own nor exhibit permanent collections. The scope of this research will mainly cover three typologies of museum spaces in Hong Kong, each with an example forming three case studies. The comparative analysis and assessment of interpretation is based on international doctrines and guidelines set for heritage interpretation. Theories from the discipline of museology will also be taken as reference to assess the interpretation practices adopted in the art-cum-heritage sites.