Dissertation in the field of contemporary art: MA Lena Séraphin
In her dissertation Lena Séraphin is examinig how can a photograph of a nazi march-past in Hanko in 1943 be shown without elevating and reproducing absolute power?
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MA Lena Séraphin will defend her dissertation Don Quijote-komplexet och laborationer i fiktionalitet on Friday 24 March 2017.
Opponent: PhD, Axel Andersson
Custos: professor Juha Varto, Aalto University Department of Art
The discussion will be in Swedish.
MORE INFORMATION:
The idea of fiction as a potential is the basic assumption in this practice-led study, and the point of departure has been to render a real character. During research Lena Séraphin has experimented with conveying a fictional character as her colleague and with how they together can generate art productions that are part of this dissertation. Séraphin observes an other conception which is synchronized with the appearance of the character Andrea Meinin Bück – the more the character became actual the more Lena Séraphin became fictitious in the artwork Lena Séraphin, Andrea Meinin Bück & The Don Quixote Complex.
Séraphin explores subjectivity in relation to the experience of polarization looking at the photograph of the march-past engendered. She investigates duplication/partition in literary, neurocognitive and theoretical understandings of alter egos and Doppelgängers, and shows how analysis and reflection embraces identification with the research problematics.
This dissertation strives to show the imaginary as a knowledge creating environment and to affirm multiplying claims on identity. Meinin Bück and Séraphin have experimented by displaying photographs from military archives within an artistic statement and the installation Lena Séraphin, Andrea Meinin Bück & The Don Quixote Complex. Séraphin discusses this spatial and narrative work, which is the research outcome, and suggests reaiming as a method to make archival images topical in a personal sphere and to open up sealed notions.
Lena Séraphin states that she cannot give an unambiguous answer to the question on how to present the photograph from 2/6/1943 without rewarding expressions of absolute power. However, she finds that exhibiting the photograph has a function, that is to demonstrate how nazi parades are yet again and still possible.
WELCOME!
The dissertation notice and the published dissertation are placed for public display at the Learning Hub Arabia (Hämeentie 135 C, 5th floor, room 570), at latest 10 days before the defence date.