The photo above was taken in San Fernando city, Trinidad, it shows "the last train engine" a historical artefact kept preserved here in the city. This shows how the city is a space for cultural heritage, how it is valued an also hints about the history of the city. Even though those who worked this train may not be here today their work is acknowledged and constantly reminded of every time one passes this symbolic feature.
Hall and Barrett (2012: 176) speaks of material and immaterial cultures; where material cultures are those that are more artefactual than others with more material representation in the city. On the other hand the immaterial cultures are those less represented materially in the city they may be social practices or posters or artefacts that may represent history but which is no longer a way of life. These descriptions led me to conclude that the artefact in the photo was one of immaterial culture in the city.
The link below takes you to an article that gives some insight on the history of San Fernando and the use of the 'last train engine'.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/news/0,169412.html
Quite true as San Fernando has many historical "immaterial" landmarks which makes this area quite unique to the urban morphology and how these places provide a sense of identity to people by these valued landscapes.
ReplyDeleteNice conclusion and photo.
ReplyDelete