Oryan Shachar
Oryan Shachar is an architect, a graduate of Bezalel (2002), completed her MA and PhD at the Faculty of Architecture at the Technion (2012). Her doctoral dissertation engages in modern architecture, urban communities, and historical narratives in Hatzor Haglilit. Her Post-Doctoral research about the history of architectural preservation in Israel will soon be published as a book in Hebrew. Oryan was the Publication House Manager of the Avie and Sarah Arenson Built Heritage Research Center in the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning at the Technion (2018- 2024). She teaches architectural conservation, architectural documentation, and history of worship sites at the faculty of Architecture at the Technion, Haifa, and Western Galilee College.
Session
This paper investigates the dynamic urban landscape of Haifa, Northern Israel, renowned for its multicultural milieu, as a lens to comprehend the intricate interplay of ethnonational dynamics. Focused on the "Site and the Archive" course at the Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, it illustrates how geospatial technologies enrich humanities research and methodological innovations, particularly in elucidating historical narratives within contemporary urban settings. Structured around the themes of archive, site, and documentation, the course employs interdisciplinary approaches to investigate various typologies of urban structures, including cinemas, theaters, hospitals, and swimming pools. By integrating archival resources, field observations, and critical analysis, students engage in a holistic exploration of historical geographies, bridging disciplines such as historiography, conservation, and curation.
Furthermore, the paper delineates the evolution from documentation to curatorial practice, exemplified by the "Dinosaurs in the Streets" exhibition held during a social Bauhaus festival in Hadar HaCarmel (2019). Drawing from course documentation, this exhibition showcases the role of curation in presenting diverse urban narratives, underscored by the use of geospatial technologies to enrich spatial representations of heritage sites. Additionally, it examines the intrinsic spatial dimensions of heritage and its impact on local identity, emphasizing the interconnectedness of heritage processes with the architectural fabric and cultural significance of urban landscapes. Through innovative mapping techniques and geospatial technologies, the paper illuminates alternative heritage narratives and marginalized histories embedded within the urban fabric, offering a nuanced understanding of urban heritage.
Aligned with the conference's thematic emphasis on "Spatial explorations of narratives, literary and imaginary places," this paper provides practical insights into the application of spatial humanities in documenting and interpreting built heritage. It underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative spatial analysis in advancing scholarly comprehension of historical geographies and cultural landscapes.