In this beginning part of 2010, our
television screens repeat images of the injured, the displaced, and the dead in
Haiti. This emerging archive of
profound trauma presents with questions of how we should feel and what we
should do. Here on the Viz. blog,
we also ask what it means to capture and
distribute images of tragedy.
During last Wednesday’s Oprah show, Haitian immigrant and R&B artist
Wyclef Jean delivered a message to Americans from the Haitian people: “No more photo ops.” Jean, who documented himself and his
crew collecting dead bodies from the streets, could not be clearer. However, it’s unlikely that journalists
like Robin Roberts (ABC) will accommodate the Haitian people in this way.
Last semester, Viz. bloggers asked
what are the implications of representing political events, such as documenting
the Vietnam war or mass killings, as in the case of the Fort Hood incident. Andi
Gustavson followed-up these posts with a theory page on Susan Sontag, which collates
Sontag’s various positions about how photography does-or does not- represent
the suffering of the other. This
semester, it is inevitable our posts will revisit the ethics of representation
with new eyes. We invite you to
comment on Viz. with your thoughts, as we address questions that challenge our
hearts and minds.
Our blog posts will continue as
well to develop a variety of topics related to visual pedagogy. Please note Eileen McGinnis’ contributions
on visuals and science, as well as Emily Bloom’s contributions on New Media
pedagogy. (We’re thrilled with the
New Media lesson plans Emily uploaded and Eileen’s interview with
science artist Zack Simpson Booth.)
No doubt Rachel Schneider will continue to pique our interest with
visual analysis of pop culture performance. Peruse the theory page Rachel created on how performance
relates to the canon of delivery.
Finally, guest bloggers have contributed rich content, such as artist
Anne Bobroff-Hajal’s posts on fine
art and rhetoric.
Thank you to all our Viz. bloggers. We wish the best to Emily and Eileen as
they go on fellowship this spring, and we welcome two new writers, Laura Smith
and Coye Heard. We look forward to
their unique contributions.
Thank you for reading.
Noel Radley and Tim Turner
Project Leaders Visual Rhetoric, DWRL
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