Moving places

Abstract

This study aims to explore the complex relationship between people and place throughout time. It seeks to unravel the different ways in which place affects people, and how people impact place. The research question revolves around the investigation of Fort Campbell, an abandoned historic site in Selmun, Malta. This place-oriented project evolved through the performative act of walking as the main methodology and photography as the primary source of documentation. Apart from through photography, the mapping of the place was done through the collection of videos and sketches gathered during several unstructured walks. The unplanned walks and different fragments of documentation gathered throughout resulted in a deeper understanding of the place and instilled a deep connection with the landscape. The location’s current abandoned state and its rich historical element formed part of the final result. Through extensive observation, two main categories emerged - ‘Text’ and ‘textures’, which were explored through the concept of time, the ‘undoing of place’ and the element of decay. The final close-up photographs respond to Walter Benjamin’s statement that “with the close-up, space expands” (1969, p.510). Through found ‘text’ and ‘textures’, this study aims to shed a light on the reciprocal interaction between people and place throughout time. It also makes way for a discussion surrounding the neglect of local historical sites.