Comments on: An installation

By: THATCamp » Blog Archive

THATCamp » Blog Archive — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 04:58:06 +0000

[…] mentioned in his previous blog post, David Staley displayed a digital installation in the Showcase center during THATCamp. Here’s […]

By: THATCamp » Blog Archive

THATCamp » Blog Archive — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:05:43 +0000

[…] turned up much. There seems to be a split between fine art and digital humanities centers. David Staley’s post, for instance, talks about a visually oriented humanities project- but the work (and the title of […]

By: nm45

nm45 — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 01:16:11 +0000

As someone who’s been involved with teaching and researching visual culture for a long time, it’s great to see a wider movement towards a visually-oriented humanities–this is also mentioned in the UCLA Manifesto referred to elsewhere. I think one does not want to claim the name ‘artist’ for this work, which leads to galleries, dealers and claims of unique genius–or at least IP:) In my original proposal I talked about creating a visual culture that uses the new digital tools as a means of practice-based research and I would really like to learn from people already engaged in that work.

By: David Staley

David Staley — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 14:36:46 +0000

Thanks Douglas. The images I have selected all reflect some sort of blending of cultures. In theory, I suppose, any such image of culture could fit the bill here, but I have tried to select images that draw attention to this syncretization of cultures. Moreover, I think it is the juxtaposition of images in the entire installation that help to contextualize each image as examples of syncretism. I am eager to hear of your impressions of the installtion once it is up and running!

By: Douglas Knox

Douglas Knox — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 23:22:15 +0000

A visual installation sounds like a great idea, and could generate some interesting discussion. Since you asked for feedback on the visual message of the installation as you described it, I find myself wondering what enables a visual image to carry a message of syncretism, whether all images of culture aren’t images of syncretism if you know how to tell the story. Could an image of a cup of tea be syncretic enough in itself?

By: brooke

brooke — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 22:04:28 +0000

I very much want to talk about what a “visually oriented humanities” might look like.

I proposed to talk about visual representation of spoken word in interview. The benefits are many, but I also have reason to believe the risks are also many.

Here’s one post: whyherewhynow.org/three-interviews-one-cloud-can-you-catch-the-trick/

By: David Staley

David Staley — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:29:24 +0000

I, too, am interested in the connections between the arts and humanities, and hope we can find time at the Camp to discuss this.

The term “humanities-based imagist” comes from Barbara Maria Stafford, and I thought it best described the kind of work I do. I am reluctant to call myself an “artist” because I do not know how artists would feel about someone trained in history would feel using that label.

I wrote a book once on “Computers, Visualization and History” and had always wanted to put that theory into practice. I have long been interested in different ways of knowing, especially in the humanities, which is deeply word-based. What might a visually oriented humanities look like? I ask.

So, a long-winded response to you very thoughtful question 😉

By: Karin Dalziel

Karin Dalziel — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:40:18 +0000

I’m curious as to why you would choose the term “humanities-based imagist” rather than “artist?” What you’re describing sound like an art installation, and I have seen several installations in museums using similar methods or themes. I remember two I saw at LACMA this summer- one as part of the “Phantom Sightings” exhibit and another on permanent collection.

I am interested in talking about the connection of fine arts to the humanities, and the tension in melding the two.