“Sense of place refers to the more nebulous meanings associated with a
place: the feelings and emotions a place evokes. These meanings can be
individual and based on personal biography or they can be shared. Shared
senses of place are based on mediation and representation. When we write
‘Calcutta’ or ‘Rio’ or ‘Manchester’ for instance, even those of us who have
not been to these places have some sense of them – sets of meanings
produced in films, literature, advertising, and other forms of mediation.”

This studio will focus on how we determine the difference between a space and a place. It will somehow also incorporate ghosts? I have to admit that I’m confused, though that could be because I’ve only just arrived back in Australia from Thailand.

Going on a before and after tangent here, Thailand is a country worth experiencing. I expected the classic Australian party destination, a non-stop harassment of senses and cheap, fake delights. I now associate Thailand with stark contrasts in poverty and consumerism, selfishness and blind ecstasy, and Nike shoes.

The country is wildly different to Australia and I have to say that it was an abrupt realisation. This class would have me study a singular building at my university that I’m not particularly keen on knowing about, but my head is still reeling from the whirlwind tour.