WALL ART IN GEORGE TOWN: THE EFFECTS OF AESTHETIC GENTRIFICATION IN A CULTURAL HERITAGE SITE

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Ying Qi Wu
Yue Cao

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the development of wall installations and their effect on aesthetic gentrification in the George Town heritage site, Penang, Malaysia. This study first investigates the three waves of aesthetic gentrification in George Town by adopting Chang’s (2016) framework. Besides, the concept of place-making is adapted to examine the emotional connection between residents and wall installations. The findings show that aesthetic gentrification was initiated in George Town after the nomination of George Town as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2008. Today, 52 wall installations are existing in George Town, which are involved in three historical stages (planning phase, preparatory phase, installation phase) and categorised into three types of themes (multi-cultural trading mode, traditions of Asia and European colonial influence, George Town’s unique culture and townscape), to identify George Town’s heritage. The wall installations are designed under government sponsorship for the preservation of George Town’s heritage and to boost the tourism industry. Policy-driven sponsorship for the art creation changed the artistic atmosphere in George Town from one that is characterised by traditional trade to one that is driven by art tourism. This has caused the emergence of conflicts between the residents and artistic creation, as well as competition for space.

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