My interest in the photographic image begins with the study of visual culture and theoretical analysis, its scope and modes of operation, as well as the function images perform when circulating.
Photography understood as a document that activates memory and promotes emotional ties, in addition to the great production of images (and contemporary visual saturation), mediated by the screens, as the new panoptic of today's society. Finally the strengthening of photographic thinking —beyond technical development— in Colombia and Latin America.
We are facing a world full of images and paradoxically, a society blind to any kind of visual representation, then by forgoing the images as instruments of research, they become unable to build knowledge. The photographer is a critical subject which uses photography as a discursive mechanism when developing a project. In this extent, the photographer's gaze is a world to be explored, as is his or her capacity to "re-present".
The concept of "educating the gaze" addresses the need of reflection towards the "educational role” of photography in subjugating the population, as a device that guides manipulated readings of reality in favour of the dominant interests. The peace process between the Colombian State —of the former president Juan Manuel Santos Nobel Peace Prize in 2016— and the FARC guerrillas, are the trigger of the analysis presented in this project, to contribute to the discussion on the role of photography nowadays.
"Panoptic Collection of Education for Peace" is a video installation developed with photographs of the Colombian peace process. Around five (5) specific milestones had marked some key moments which were the inspiration for the final selection of the images. These photographs were those with less diffusion and barely replicated by different digital media (among officials and non-officials), the latter being assumed as pedagogical instruments through which the possible contents transmitted by the photograph are conveyed. Likewise, this project approaches photography as a device of the new digital culture, using the screens as the panoptic of today's society and cellular devices as vessels through which images circulate.
Hereby, I make an approximation on how photography has contributed to the education of the gaze, while acknowledges a crucial moment for our country. Linking the project not only to an act of contemplation and speculation, but also reflecting on reality and effect of the photographer in the world, in a historical-social context to transform thinking about the photographic tool. Moreover, allowing us to understand the different realities and be vigilant to political manipulation thus manifest right before our eyes.
Video Installation link:
https://lauravegal.wixsite.com/vegaphotovideoart/proyecto