A Jeanne Site
California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Latest update: May 5, 1999
Faculty on the Site.
As a process text, we will build this project from communications from all of the participants. This lets us fit the project into the interstitial moments of packed schedules.
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 20:25:20
Since I don't have to work this weekend, I've set aside time on Saturday to work on my project. The Katzir photos you gave me seemed to bring forward a mental dilemma. Originally, I was following the premise that the photographer could be an effective participant observer. Since the tangible output (photos), are a record of a situation frozen in time, I felt the could be viewed bias free; the individual who was viewing the photos could interpret the scene. Now I'm not so sure. Katzir's photographs do show a bias (I'm not sure it can be avoided). Which brings forward the question as to whether photography is capable of accurately recording social issues/change. Normally when I start a project, I've got a pretty good idea how it will come out. Not this one!
Date: Wed, 28 Apr 1999 20:25:20
Well, that sounds kind of Habermasian to me. Perhaps the problem is with multiple perspectives. Katzir permits us to see that a photograph is only a partial desription of the scene. But a participant observer has that same disadvantage. In some ways Katzir gets around the problem by inviting participants to include their perspective in the product. That might get in >the way of Walker's and Atget's kind of photographic history, for the viewer's perspective, if included, would involve a time warp. But isn't there a time warp in our response to the Holocaust, in our response to gender inequality. So maybe on the Internet we could layer the original photo, the coloring sheet, the viewer's contribution. I am almost certain we could do that on Director. Now, what would that produce methodologically?
I'm going to forward this to Bobby and Susan. I gave him a copy of the Katzir stuff we used in Fort Worth, just like yours. We all need to think on these implications.
How come they know you as somebody
you're recognized as great
While I am stripped of everything
How come that became . . . my fate?
I started out fully clothed in garments
But then you looked at me with pride
My exterior changed . . . as did your's
I now stand in your shadow, I once stood by your side.