Photography: a great change of meaning.
The aim of this presentation is to describe the working methods used and conclusions reached at the symposium “Re-defining photography within the context of cultural heritage” that was held last September 23, 2023, immediately following the 20th Triennial Conference of ICOM-CC.
It was hosted by the Institut Valencià d'Art Modern and organized by ICOM-CC Photographic Materials Working Group in collaboration with GE-IIC Photographic Heritage Conservation Group. More than 30 professionals related to conservation of photography came together to debate a new definition of
photography and a
photograph and the relationship of these concepts with the cultural heritage conservation field.
The symposium main purpose was to contrast different point of view and sensitivities. Thus, the structure was intended to move from more general ideas to concrete points.
Morning activities were organized to establish the main ideas:
1- Introduction:
AI was used in a short introduction to show different definitions and remark commonalities and gaps.
2- Conferences:
Four lectures given by Rachel Tabel, Rosina Herrera Garrido, Felice Robles and Marta García Celma illustrated, from the conservators’ point of view, the wide range of interpretations related to photographic heritage in cultural institutions.
Interesting ideas were shared in the lectures, such as, the scope of our specialty, the complexity of photography, its inclusive nature, and constant evolution.
3- Roundtable:
A roundtable between the speakers was opened to establish some common points and explored the ideas of ambiguity, technology, post-photography, visual language, materiality, photosensitivity, evolution, etc.
4- Roundtable open to the attendees:
The complexity to find a new definition, where all the photographic scenario could fit, was expressed. The audience pointed out that the definition should include ideas associated with, interaction between surface and energy, technique, image, but also, human perception, memory, communication…
Afternoon was organized to summarize the main points.
5- Open debate with all attendees:
Six groups working groups were organized to explore different sensitivities and opinions. Each group was led by a coordinator. The groups were asked general questions:
- Why is it important to change the definition of photography?
- What makes photography different from other visual arts?
- Can photography be defined as a visual language in itself?
- How do technologies affect the definition of a photograph?
- Does a photograph need to have a physical shape?
6- Group debate in plenary session:
Each group coordinator shared a summary of their findings and conclusions. These contributions were very illustrative of the broadness of the concept of photography and the difficulty of finding a common approach.
7- Conclusion session for achieving a new definition.
Once such diverse ideas were expressed, it was not easy to reach common points. However, opening the debate to contrasting views allowed us to better understand the nature of the term photography.
Finally, all these reflections show that defining photography is as complex as its history and use. And, in any case, the term “photographic” can be used to include everything related to photography, even when it is created outside the context of “pure” photography.
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