A PERSPECTIVE OF COLLECTIVE MEMORY: MONUMENTS/MEMORIALS IN MODERN (1840-1949) GUANGZHOU

Abstract

Monuments/memorials are places of memory, and their research focuses on art and the urban public realm. Some scholars have explored commemorative objects from their relationship with history and memory or used them to explain collective memory (cultural or social memory). However, starting from the place, the materials for exploring the mechanism and specific content of the monument/memorial carrying collective memory still need to be further excavated. This research takes the monument/memorial in modern Guangzhou (MMG) as the research object, and the specific research objectives are: 1) To analyze the distribution characteristics of the MMG. 2) Explain the concept of spatial vector patterns of monument places; in terms of place structure, identify the construction model and elements of monuments, and interpret their mechanism and content of carrying collective memory. 3) To conduct conceptual reflection through the design practice of the Heroes Monument in Guangzhou. Starting from pragmatism, the researchers mainly collected qualitative and quantitative data through literature research, field investigation, map research, pilot cases, and questionnaire surveys. Then coded and classified the data, performed a visual comparative analysis, and focused group discussions. Finally, inductive, interpretive, and reflective design practices are used to implement and answer research goals and questions. The study results showed that: 1) Most monuments/memorials in modern Guangzhou are located on the city's edge, individually or in groups in natural or planned mountain environments, and have a certain degree of aggregation. The site selection of the place of the Chinese-style monument tends to be "natural" sites. Chinese traditional culture emphasizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature; this concept profoundly affects people's collective memory and the site selection of the MMG. 2) The elements of the construction model of monuments carry people's collective memory at different levels. The MMG carries collective memory mainly about people's beliefs, etiquette, culture and garden design techniques. Through this study, the researchers mainly constructed the theoretical knowledge of spatial vector patterns, worship behaviour and FMSVS's (function theme, morphology style, spatial relationship, visitor experience and symbolic meaning) construction model of monument places. They developed a comparative model of spatial vector patterns research tool.

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