The Influence of Visual Representation and Misunderstanding of “the Other”
Abstract
In modern socio-cultural communications, visual representation affects our daily practices, understanding of cultural differences, social interactions, and individual experiences (Kolodiy, N. A., Kolodiy, V. V., Goncharova, N. A., & Ivchik, A., 2016). These representations in a visual culture build context for bridging the diverse sociocultural relationship. While interpreting the visuality during the communication, how do we avoid the misalignment of the understanding? If we use visual representation as the instrument to criticize the existing system, how do we carefully examine it? How do we assess the effectiveness of the visuality or the visual representation of “the other” who is different from “the self”? What is the appropriate usage of the visual representation of “the other”? What is the perspective of “the other”? As an insider of a specific group of people, the person might identify others who are not in this group as “the other”. While being an outsider of the group, the outsider might recognize the group as “the other”. Visuality could portray the relationship between “the self” and “the other” individually. Through photography, the representations of “the other” and “the self” are displayed through the photographer’s lens.
For my research, I use photography as my daily practice to reflect on the representation of “the self” and “the other”. While displaying my work, I intend to provoke audiences’ thinking of the visual representation of “the other” in their daily social interaction.
Keywords
Visual Representation, Understanding, the Self, and the Other
