Viewing Photography in Post-Dictatorship Latin America: Visual Interruptions, 1997-2016

This book explores the archival aesthetic of mourning and memory created by Latin American artists and photographers between 1997 and 2016. It focuses on how photographs of political dissidents from the 1970s and 1980s, found in family albums and official archives, were re-imagined as conduits for private mourning and became allegories of social trauma and the struggle against socio-political amnesia. Memorials, art installations, photo-essays, street projections, and documentary films are considered media for the reframing of these archival images from the era of Cold War dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, and Uruguay. The book argues that viewers' affective identification with distant suffering is interrupted, and they are invited to apprehend memorial images as emblems of national and international histories of ideological struggle.

Format: Hardback
Length: 293 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2022
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

This captivating book delves into the intricate realm of archival aesthetics, exploring the profound impact of mourning and memory on Latin American artists and photographers between 1997 and 2016. With a keen focus on the reimagining of photographs of political dissidents from the 1970s and 1980s, found in family albums and official archives, the author sheds light on how these images have transcended their original purpose of private mourning to become potent symbols of social trauma and the fight against socio-political amnesia. Through a diverse range of media, including memorials, art installations, photo-essays, street projections, and documentary films, these artists and photographers have skillfully reinterpreted these archival images from the era of Cold War dictatorships in Argentina, Chile, Guatemala, and Uruguay.

While the turn of the millennium was once heralded as the "end of history" and "the end of photography," these artistic interventions serve as powerful disruptions to the dominant narratives on both fronts. The book's central argument revolves around the emotional connection viewers establish with distant suffering when engaging with these artworks. Instead of being solely affected, the viewer is invited to perceive memorial images as emblems of national and international histories of ideological struggle.

The author's meticulous research and analysis provide a rich tapestry of insights into the complex interplay between memory, trauma, and artistic expression. Through their creative lens, these artists and photographers offer a poignant reflection on the enduring legacies of political violence and the ongoing struggle for justice and truth. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of art, history, and social activism, as well as the power of visual storytelling to shape our understanding of the world.

Weight: 534g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031175893
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022