Project Description
This project investigates the photographic practices associated with recent pandemics, especially the Influenza pandemic of 1918-20 and the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s. I intend to examine the ways in which different methods of disease transmission--and different misconceptions about transmission--informed photographic practices. By looking at the history of the photography of disease over roughly a century, I want to investigate the ways in which photography inadvertently captures anxieties and fantasies about disease transmission, and incorporates those into its own forms. The main objective is to understand the relationship between portrait photography and pandemics in real historical depth and detail, in order to look with fresh eyes at a body of photographic work that has not had much critical attention, in order to generate both critical and creative publications.
Tasks and Responsibilites
The student will gain valuable historical and theoretical knowledge by assisting this historical research. The student will assist with surveying the existing literature in order to contextualize the research and sharpen the central questions. Because this topic will likely remain a matter of public interest for the next year or more, we will also explore more popular publications in blogs, websites, or magazines throughout the year, either authored solely by the student (with my guidance) or co-authored with me.
Desired Qualifications
None Listed.