O animismo em livros de fotografia de Araki, Fukase e Kawauchi

Abstract

The concept of animism, that is, the perspective according to which non-human beings and phenomena may possess a spirit or conscience, has been revived in recent decades, particularly in the field of anthropology, but also in the visual arts. In this respect, technological images are themselves marked by animistic attributes; therefore, the concept becomes a useful framework for thinking about photography. This dissertation sets out to raise the animist issue to reflect on photographic images by analysing three photobooks: Shokuji / The Banquet (1993) by Nobuyoshi Araki, Karasu / Ravens (1986) by Masahisa Fukase and AILA (2004) by Rinko Kawauchi. We consider that these works reflect an animist worldview, both in a thematic sense and from point of view relating to the ontology of the photographic image. Lastly, based on a comparative study of the books covered, we try to demonstrate how photography is suited to a reflection that avoids a dualistic matrix that opposes the subject to the object, humanity to nature, the primitive to the civilised or life to death.

Date of Award	15 Jan 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Vânia Maria Coutinho (Supervisor) & José Bértolo (Co-Supervisor)