Places are complex entities, not necessarily defined by physical structure
or geographic location. Because of this, the ways of making place are many
and diverse. In Australia, Indigenous and non-indigenous peoples have
employed distinct strategies of place-making, and brought differing
attitudes towards the constitution of place. While non-indigenous Australian
histories of place-making have proved largely damaging to Indigenous places
and their cultural, socio-economic and political significance, a range of
innovative projects and practices have sought to locate the intersection of
these place-making histories, and to find a collaborative common ground in
the ambition to make place in non-destructive, ethically-guided, and
politically effective ways. Strategies for negotiating sites of difficult
memory and working with the complexity and diversity of Indigenous cultures
in processes of place-making are developing across architecture, heritage
management, museology, and other modes of cultural representation.

This symposium seeks to showcase some of these initiatives, and to explore
what insights into collaborative, cross-cultural place-making practice they
offer in the context of a campaign to advance and realise a Victorian
Indigenous Cultural Education and Knowledge Centre. The Victorian
Traditional Owner Land Justice Group, Reconciliation Victoria and the
Melbourne City Council are key stakeholders in this early stage of such a
Centre’s conceptualisation, which includes a prominent situation in
Melbourne’s CBD. This is the first proposal for a major civic precinct owned
and managed by and for all Victorian Aborigines. It is intended that the
Centre (VICEKC) will showcase the variety of Victorian Aboriginal cultures,
both in their traditional and contemporary expression, be a gateway for
tourism strategies in South-East Australia, and house spaces for education
and entertainment, exhibitions and performances, conferences and public
events. A dedicated space for the cultural expression of each Traditional
Owner Language Group in South-East Australia is considered to be a crucial
aspect of its design.

The symposium will bring together international, national and local
Indigenous and non-indigenous community members, academics, designers,
artists and architects, along with VICEKC stakeholders, to share experiences
and reflections on successful cross-cultural interactions in the realm of
place-making. A series of papers will address topics such as:
The traditions and contemporary manifestations of Indigenous place-making in
Australia and elsewhere.
What postcolonial place-making can learn from Indigenous place-making
practices, both historical and contemporary; and
How postcolonial place-making practice has engaged with Indigenous knowledge
systems of land and Indigenous spatial practice.
Examples of successful cross-cultural place-making practices between
Indigenous and non-indigenous practitioners, and also between other cultural
groups.

The symposium will follow on from a public conversation, held at BMW Edge,
Federation Square, in which three prominent speakers discuss the
possibilities for an Indigenous Cultural Centre that represents all
Indigenous Victorians.

Prince Philip Theatre
Faculty: Architecture, Building & Planning, University of Melbourne
25-26 June

For details please visit the website: http://www.indigenousplace.com/