生與死的影像辯證—論波坦斯基 Christian Boltanski 的作品

Abstract

This paper aims at discussing the particularity of photography images. That is in the very early stage of photography invention, it has implied a complicated relation of records of life and death. My arguments would base on art works and especially, that of contemporary artist Christian Boltanski. The analysis of the methods, characteristics and techniques used in Boltanski works will be conducted so as to enhance further understanding of the functions of photos as an expressive medium of contemporary art.

This paper includes two main parts. First, I would explore responses to pictures from the development of photography. The relations among pictures, recording of life and existence, and death would be placed under scrutiny. In the process, Walter Benjamin's and Roland Barthes' related theories will be discussed. The second part will focus on the works of Boltanski with a close analysis of their features, especially how he uses pictures in his works and what significances does that have to offer?

Finally, my tentative conclusion is that to Boltanski as well as other contemporary artists, pictures serve as an alternative way of telling a story. It not only explores new dimension of contemporary art, but also brings forth a kind of self-healing psychoanalytic approach which helps to search an answer to life via dead images.