Learning from popular culture: Interpretation, visitors and critique

Abstract Heritage interpretive strategies have concentrated on conveying information in a linear communication mode rather than taking into account the possible multifaceted role of the visitor. In many cultural heritage sites, despite the proliferation of multimedia interactive devices, the visitor is assumed implicitly to be a passive observer. Many heritage spaces of popular culture, such as history theme parks, remain marginalised when compared to high culture spaces which are listed and registered. However, they provide insights into complex interactions with visitors. Analysis of some popular culture heritage strategies which focus on the visitor, rather than on the historic object or heritage space, indicates that popular‐culture spaces often engage with the visitor in diverse, provocative and potentially critical ways. This paper, first, discusses some theoretical issues concerning high and popular culture and, secondly, considers a number of heritage spaces in order to illustrate the changing relationship between heritage institutions, their visitors and the generation of meanings. Key Words: Communication modelsHeritage interpretationHigh cultureInteractive interpretationInterpretation theoryPopular culture