Disciplines
Other Humanities (25%); Other Social Sciences (25%); Media and Communication Sciences (25%); Sociology (25%)
Keywords
Cultural Difference / Kulturelle Differenz,
Photographic Practice / Fotografische Praxis,
Transformative Research / Transformative Forschung,
Research-Based Learning / Forschendes Lernen,
Inter- And Transdisciplinary Methodology / Inter-,
Boundary Wor
Abstract
Content of the Publication:
The book deals with a visual practice based on photography. In her research, Vera Brandner
postulates that photography has a great potential to enhance mutual learning and research
processes especially within interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary and intercultural domains of research,
arguing that, due to its undisciplinarity, photography is easily accessible to many people
regardless of their circumstances or social and professional backgrounds. Based on that, Vera
Brandner has conceptualized, empirically tested and consolidated the methodological framework of
Generative Picturing. Different aspects of photographic-visual methods are linked with postcolonial,
photo-critical and emancipatory theory. This process was preceded by conceptual and practical
groundwork within the activities of the association of ipsum between 2003 and 2010 in Angola,
Pakistan, Afghanistan, Israel, Palestine and Austria. By systemizing the acts of gaze as well as the
forms of interaction and reflection that occur within the field of photography, Generative Picturing
can be used for dialogic and participative research work with people belonging to different epistemic
cultures.
What is new / special about this approach?
Photography is employed as a practical tool in situations where the actors involved are estranged by
their different origins, socializations and specializations, whilst they are connected with each other
by a common problem. Generative Picturing is a kind of boundary work, it touches the boundaries
between the Own and the Other, thus making problems accessible, open for research and
transformable. Photography turns into a field of practice and research in order to make cultural
difference visible and negotiable. In this field, the participants develop forms of action and reflection
that help them tackle contradictions and insecurities appearing in their respective contexts.