VILKA ”KUNGAR” VILL VI HA PÅ VÅRA GATOR OCH TORG? En kulturanalytisk studie av två offentliga monument i Göteborg

Abstract

This thesis examines how public monuments are made into cultural heritage, if and in that case, how these monuments affect their surroundings and people. In order to get some answers, two public monuments called Kopparmärra and Shoreline-stenen, located in the city centre of Gothenburg, Sweden have been examined. These monuments were chosen because they represent different forms of cultural heritage and have been subject of interesting discussions concerning their existence. As a method interviews have been conducted with different voices of these discussions, such as public officials and film producers, and voices that in other ways have knowledge of the monuments and their meaning. The main material used in this study include interview transcripts and e-mail correspondence, which have been analysed with the help of critical heritage theories, research on public monuments and discourse analysis. The main theory that has been applied is the very idea that something is made into cultural heritage, it’s not fixed but a process, hence it is shaped and formed by people and vice versa. As a method to better understand this theory on a deeper level an art work was created that explored this idea and the outcome of the art work gave insights and strengthened the conclusions of the study. The results show that Kopparmärra is part of the so-called authorized heritage discourse because it represents a narrative of the nation and is institutionally recognized and managed. As opposed to the Shoreline-stenen which in different ways challenges this authorized heritage discourse. The results also show that there is a connection between the physical place, object and cultural heritage. And that the two monuments are made into cultural heritage on a daily basis through performative acts and linguistic negotiations. Conclusions can be drawn that monuments such as Kopparmärra and Shoreline-stenen will continue to be cultural heritage as long as people see and make them as symbols and part of the narrative of the city. Furthermore, people construct cultural heritage but the monuments and what they represent also have power and affect their surroundings and people.