Preliminary communication
The The Notion of ‘Image’ and Eurocentrism
Jens Schröter
orcid.org/0000-0002-4989-686X
Abstract
The enormous variety of forms and uses of phenomena called ‘image’has so far prevented the formation of a universally accepted concept ofthe image. It is even questionable whether a unified concept of the imageencompassing all relevant phenomena is possible or whether the ‘image’is not rather a historically changeable collective name of phenomenagrouped by family resemblances. the image seems to occur in almost allcultures; for this reason alone, any study of the image should be differentiatednot only historically, but also interculturally. But this is not alwaysthe case; therefore in this essay a certain Eurocentric bias in Westernconcepts of the ‘image’ is critically discussed. Firstly, it will be presentedhow ‘image’ is defined in certain mainstream discussions of image studies.Secondly it will be shown that there are Eurocentric blind spots in thesediscourses. The range of objects considered as images are restricted andthereby especially non-European types of images are excluded. Three ofthem will be mentioned: the tattoo, the mask and calligraphy and whattheir difference to hegemonic western notions of the image as separatedfrom the body, to-be-looked-at and non-performative entails. Tattooing,calligraphy, the mask and much more could become the subject of researchprojects and courses. The problem with such research and teachingthat reaches beyond the European horizon is twofold: First, simply noteverything can be done; researchers and teachers must reduce the varietyof possible objects. This cannot and should not lead to the exclusion of
non-European phenomena, but not everything can be included – completeinclusion is impossible. Therefore, only a local coordination processon what can be taught in modules such as ‘Interculturality’ or ‘GlobalMedia Culture’ can be done. The paper ends with some short noteson the institutional and image-pedagogical consequences of this critique.
Keywords
Body, calligraphy, eurocentrism, masks, pedagogy, tattoos
Hrčak ID:
314802
URI
Publication date:
5.3.2024.
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