A Culture Nature Arts Model

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Australian National University research provides evidence for a new landscape management model integrating the management of Culture, Nature and Art (CNA) focused on the intangible of heritage as the primary driver of policy development and management delivery. Although the CNA model can be challenging it is not intended to diminish the imperative to conserve species, environment and history or ignore some failings of cultural practice but rather create a more balanced approach to the complexities of the shared management of culture and nature within the landscapes.

The importance of art as a process is that it can engage directly with the intangible of the experience of place and can reference the personal significance and value of landscape. Art within the CNA is without limitations of mediums or the pressure of artistic critique. It is a process focused on the individuals and their expression of sense of place. (inclusive and not limited to: photography, journal notes, drawings, literature, music, sculpture, carving, story telling and personal reflection, dance, body scarification, digital media etc. – self expression of the experience of place within the landscape.)

The contemporary approach to managing the relationship of culture and nature within a landscape is dominated by the Western dualist model as utilised by UNESCO and many organisations and governments. This approach manifests in the institutional separation of the management of cultural and natural heritage, whilst simultaneously separating historic fabric and heritage management (tangible from intangible). The dualist approach is in stark contrast to the Australian traditional Indigenous methodology of managing landscapes as ‘Country’, which recognises the symbiosis and integration of culture and nature whilst embracing a diversity of art practice.

The CNA landscape model is a progressive direction and philosophy of landscape management providing a cross cultural approach that is couched in Western terminology and inspired by the Indigenous management of Country.

‘there needs to be movement beyond the debate of whether there is validity in the integration of culture/nature and intangible/tangible within landscape management. There needs to be an investigation into the governance and management of landscapes where they are treated as integrated environments.’ (Taylor & Francis 2014: 38)

Although there are numerous programs and initiative, such as Cultural Landscapes or Protected Areas that are reducing the culture/nature management chasm there is little evidence they are no more than straddling the problem. The CNA model addresses the dualist approach head on, through a philosophy that engages with the intangible heritage through building evidence of integrated cultural and natural value, through investigating of sense of place and meaning as experience from within the environment.

Publications

Francis, K. R. (2017) Shared Landscape Model Integrating the Management of Culture and Nature: Thesis. Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University, Canberra [Online] Available at: https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/133845 (Accessed: 27 March 2017)

Francis, K. R. (2017) Shared Landscape Model Integrating the Management of Culture and Nature: Exegesis: Negotiation in Process. Doctor of Philosophy, Australian National University, Canberra [Online] Available at: https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/handle/1885/133845 (Accessed: 27 March 2017)

Taylor, K. and K. Francis (2014). Culture/Nature Dilemmas. New Cultural Landscapes. M. Roe and K. Taylor. Abingdon, Routledge: 24-40.

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