Abstract

KIRBY, Alun. No maps for these territories: exploring philosophy of memory through photography. Estud.filos [online]. 2021, n.64, pp.47-71.  Epub Sep 22, 2021. ISSN 0121-3628.  https://doi.org/10.17533/udea.ef.n64a03.

I begin by examining perception of photographs from two directions: what we think photographs are, and the aspects of mind involved when viewing photographs. Traditional photographs are shown to be mnemonic tools, and memory identified as a key part of the process by which photographs are fully perceived. Second, I describe the metamorphogram; a non-traditional photograph which fits specific, author-defined criteria for being memory. The metamorphogram is shown to be analogous to a composite of all an individual’s episodic memories. Finally, using the metamorphogram in artistic works suggests a bi-directional relationship between individual autobiographical memory and shared cultural memory. A model of this relationship fails to align with existing definitions of cultural memory, and may represent a new form: sociobiographical memory. I propose that the experiences documented here make the case for promoting a mutually beneficial relationship between philosophy and other creative disciplines, including photography.

Keywords : photography; memory; cultural memory; perception; art.

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