Politics of In/Visibility

Abstract

The panel discusses the topic of artistic witnessing through the question of what is and what is not possible to witness. In the process of witnessing (or documenting) an event or a moment, there remains a question of what lacks representation and lacks the moment and possibility of ever becoming seen and experienced again? Representing real events through artistic means is already a moment of selection. The panel asks what are the limits of seeing and the possibilities of expression and representation? The panel also discusses the differences between political judgement and artistic statement. The temporality of witnessing events is highlighted, as well as the changes and alterations of the artistic production and different outcomes within the process of creating art. Papers or artistic productions in this panel may explore different forms of political action and discuss artists’ as well as non-artists’ forms of expression. One main focus would be the documentary film. However, also other contributions are warmly welcome.