Autobiografia do esquecimento: um ensaio sobre imagens, montagem, vestígios e metamorfose da identidade

Abstract

This study acknowledges the ubiquitous presence of narratives in different cultural and historical contexts and their vital role in shaping worldviews. Narratives, often associated with oral communication, play a crucial role in the expression of memory. Memory, whether social, collective, or individual, is a fundamental means of retrieving and sharing these narratives. In the realm of memory recording forms, the photographic image emerges as a powerful artifact, often seen as the most faithful witness to narrated events. As Walter Benjamin noted, storytelling is the art that brings memory to life. Furthermore, self-narrative, autobiographical narratives, and life stories, as discussed by Antônio da Costa Ciampa, represent ways to mobilize our memories and forgetfulness, revealing a wide spectrum of possibilities and transformations of identity. This thesis aims to investigate the intricate interaction between memory, image, and artistic expression, with a special emphasis on autobiographical photographic imagery. The conceptual foundation of this study starts from the fundamental premise that narrative is the manifestation of memory, and self-narrative acts as a powerful instrument in mobilizing memories and forgetfulness, continuously shaping the assembly of identity metamorphosis. Adopting a theoretical-critical approach and a methodological triangulation, it seeks to harmoniously integrate theory, art, and affectivity in a dynamic movement of contextualization, creation, and appreciation. Furthermore, this approach incorporates Saidiya Hartman's concept of "critical fabulation," which allows for the adoption of fiction as an indispensable element for critical and poetic imagination in research, avoiding rigid structures and enabling a deeper analysis of the phenomena under study. This study aims to contribute to a more comprehensive understanding that draws from Critical Social Psychology, image studies, the field of photography, language, philosophy, and the complex interactions between memory, image, and art. It explores how these elements are intertwined and collaborate in the construction of personal narratives and in the appreciation of ongoing transformations in human identities. Therefore, it seeks to contribute to the expansion of epistemological fields that may appear to be in impossible dialogue and advance the studies on identity metamorphosis, revealing new paths at the intersection of memory, image, and art.