Complicating Visual Culture
Complicating Visual Culture
Complicating Visual Culture
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by
Copyright2006
NationalArtEducationAssociation A Journalof Issues and Research
Visual
Complicating
ArtEducation
in
Studies
Culture
SydneyWalker
Associate Professor
The Ohio State University
the study of visual culture, as advocated by James
Arguing for complicating
Elkins, this article explicates and explores Lacanian psychoanalytic
theory and
a
pedagogy in view of its implications for art education practice. Subjectivity,
Correspondence
concerning this article
should be addressed to
Dr. SydneyWalker,
concept of import for addressing student identity and the visual, steers the discus
sion informed by pedagogical perspectives of Lacan from theoristsMark Bracher,
Columbus, OH
E-mail:
43210.
This
article
course,
grew
out
of discussions
"Understanding
in an art education
begun
in
the Visual
Art
Contemporary
graduate
and
Culture,"
in the art
State University.
The
work
previous
department
a
culture
of art education
scholars writing
about
visual
strong
provided
for a continuing
conversation
foundation
and students
among
professor
education
Ohio
2003,
2005).
conversations
The
toward
gravitated
the
theoretical
aperture
have
only
to
begun
Most
explore.
helpful
rigorous and
astute
The
insights
and
endeavor
entire
with
ideas
in Youth
conceptualizations
Fantasies:
Landscape of theMedia.
examined,
stretched,
Perverse
indeed a collaborative
puzzled
questioned,
over
by
the
group.
notion:
provocative
is too easy
studies
"visual
to learn,
studies
too easy
to
James Elkins
is too
Elkins
insists,
easy."
too easy on itself
practice,
on what he observes
(p. 65). Elkins bases his assessment of visual studies
to be a lack of stringencyand vigilance in questioning the visual. To this
end,
Elkins
studies would
(2003)
speculates
that a more
and
rigorous
complex
visual
be:
308
Studies
inArt Education
Visual
Complicating
with
denser
theories
warier
history,
of
and
more
strategies,
visual
existing
its own
about
reflective
theories, more
Culture
to
attentive
neigh
are a call
statements
Elkins'
to action
and visual
culture.
For while the discipline of art education struggles to define its object of
study,pedagogical goals, and academic identity,Elkins is suggesting that
is
situation
the
conceptualization,
not
already
too
complicated
reductive
in
enough?and
too
and
What
predictable.
its present
be
might
discussion
In
the
visual
in
theory
psychoanalytic
we
article,
following
in art education?
culture
the
consider
as a
subjectivity
recognizing
of Lacanian
contribution
factor
primary
in art
psychoanalytic
pedagogy,
between
these
distinctions
one
that
key
distinguishes
educational
approaches.
similarities
A more
and
in-depth
artwork,
Ligon's
scious,
one's
(See www.diacenter.org.)
a concern
to demonstrate
how
(2003).
is intended
work
can be
agency
the gaps,
and
and
silences,
to classroom
relevant
study
The
of
example
for the uncon
resistances
and visual
that affect
culture.
process
Mitchell
visual
and
and
this
visual
commonly
terminology
of study. We
follow
object
might
on the
to reflect our
emphasis
study
the
studies
of the visual;
practice
pedagogical
culture ismore
as
culture
employ
throughout
among
employed
as an
term visual
given that the
art education
scholars, we use
however,
inclusive
term
In our
visual
concern
search
for multiple
we
culture,
within
recognized
sociocultural
and
psychoanalytic
the
and
socio-cultural
in different
subjectivity
theoretical
ways,
Theory
for
perspectives
self as
significant
psychoanalytic
theories
we
indicating
endeavored
both
art education
and
theories.
a field
and
a common
Noting
that
the concept
of
approach
to learn how Lacanian
a
not
in art educa
found
theory,
perspective
frequently
be used to complement
and complicate
socio-cultural
theories
as it relates to visual culture.1
of
understandings
subjectivity
psychoanalytic
tion, might
and enrich
Studies
in Art Education
309
ance of theoretical
referencesto cultural
studies and critical
with Vicki
Sydney Walker
Daiello,
and Mindi
Kevin Hathaway,
Rhoades
Subjectivity
while
According
used
interchangeably,
toMansfield,
'does not
self
important
embody
the social and
carry
distinctions.
cultural
engage
(p. 3).
ways
represent
subjectivity,
rather
than
search
metaphysical
a similar
stance
representation
To
in our
in
search
for understandings
about
theory.
psychoanalytic
of subjectivity
for a discussion
subjectivity
and
for
also assume
visual
its
and
culture,
we
(2000), for
explains:
to an abstract or
refers, therefore,
general principle
'Subjectivity'
us
selves and that encourages
into distinct
that defies our separation
our
interior
us
to
or
understand
to
that,
why,
simply helps
imagine
of
either as objects
seem to involve other
lives inevitably
people,
sharers of common
need, desire, and interest or as necessary
experi
linked to something
is always
In this way
the subject
or
or
the
idea
of it?an
society of other subjects.
principle
outside
ence.
(2000,
P-3)
characterization
Mansfield's
an
psychoanalytic
subjectivity.
of
is interrelated
life that
interior
subjectivity
to others.
acknowledges
importantly
encounter
Lacanian
As we
to
is central
of self and other
constructing
theory the issue
to the other, the symbolic world,
relation
One's
represents
of subjectivity.
key factor inLacanian psychoanalytic explanations
unconscious
The
in Lacanian
psychoanalytic
theory,
derived
via
Freud,
thinkers such as
complicates subjectivity further.While Enlightenment
Rene Descartes (1596-1650) and Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) held the
individual to be a product of conscious, knowable, intellectual thought,
psychoanalytic
tionality,
obscurity,
such aspects
repressed
the aesthetic.
In
the
following,
introduced
of the unconscious
notions
and
the unknowable.
compare
and
inconsistency,
rationality
Enlightenment
emotions
with
associated
intermingle
the perspectives
more
richly
layered,
heterogeneous
approach
to visual
culture.
irra
had
and
of
to produce a
In doing
so,
Complicating
we
to
hope
to
attention
bring
theory's
psychoanalytic
Visual
distinctive
Culture
contri
culture.
visual
not
do
to resolve
intend
and
differences
tensions
studies
of visual
Acknowledging
our
in art education,
not more
but hopefully,
less predictable,
is an emergent,
culture
topic
evolving
about
is to stimulate
questions
subjectivity
dense,
that visual
obtuse.
intention
images.
is comparable
pedagogy
informed
pedagogies
by socio-cultural
theories
in that both value the pursuit of liberation from oppressive social and
cultural
hegemonies,
and
and
both
perspectives
and cultural
personal
values,
to empower
aim
the discovery
students
enable
resistance,
edge,
both
knowl
through
In addition,
potential.
to map,
their
identify, and question
historical
memories,
suppositions,
of
meanings,
students
their fullest
and emotions. Specifically, Bracher (2002) finds that in sharing the same
core desire
and psycho
critical
for positive
self-transformations,
pedagogy
a
a
result:
and
share
key process
significant
analytic pedagogy
to a
of oppositions
and the
one's
identity leads
recognition
Mapping
of conflicts between
different
identity components,
experiencing
to one's present
in relation
these conflicts
and
through
working
of one's
the alteration
realities and future possibilities
promotes
an alternative
or the
result that
of
identity?a
identity,
development
from a constricting
liberates subjects
identity and thus empowers
resonates
a desire
in both
and
for liberation
psychoanalytic
Although
share an interest in mapping
iden
and these approaches
critical pedagogy,
some
are also
in their
and
differences
tity, there
practices
significant
to each
can be traced
method's
differences
results. These
pedagogical
of
characterization
At
position.
of identity,
and subject
the relationships
subjectivity,
is the view of identity as determined
by subject position,
issue
shaped
subject
a function
of a
or
position,
2002,
(Bracher,
identity"
socio-cultural
theory and
subjective
determined
"socially
ismost
often
114),
p.
signifiers
associated
with
of group
or
critical
as
while
approaches,
identity
pedagogical
unconscious
forms
desires,
position,
along with
related
and
we make
admissions
in
in individual,
of ownership
emotional
invest
images.
can
also
Studies
be,
cautions
inArt Education
Bracher
(2002),
potential
source
of alienation
311
Sydney Walker
than
rather
Kevin Hathaway,
Bracher
empowerment.
and Mindi
this
explains
Rhoades
controversial
notably
point arguing that even with the identification of core subject positions
that one
believes
explains
that a subject
significance
their
identity,
view
position
are
areas of
finely-grained
cannot
identity
acknowledge.
there
of
that characterize
the contradictory
beliefs
one's
explain
a
For
of
the
distinctions
between
the
recognition
example,
subjectivity.
American
of "black,
women"
from
lesbian,
subject position
working-class
women"
that of "black,
African
2000,
lesbian, working-class
(Bracher,
inadequate
unconscious
to also
desires
be
signifi
perspective
strategy when
psychoanalytic
complementary
offers
and
socio-cultural
images:
interrogating
critical
instead
theories
of explaining
conflicts
alliances"
2002,
(Bracher,
p.
115)
or
external
forces,
an
internal
caused
and
by desire
by affective
complicated
responses.
theory acknowledges
or
can observe
speak
to socio-cultural
strategy
complementary
not
only
about,
those
but
theories,
characteristics
also
those
Culture
to be
psychoanalytic
that we
of subjectivity
in the absences,
found
A number
that shape human
invisibilities
and
silences,
experience.
gaps,
of scholars
and researchers
Britzman,
1999; Couture,
2002;
(Bracher,
in
to be
applicable
the
researching
to
in education
problems
literature,
we
conclude
theory
that the
and
practice,
of
principles
for
psychoanalytic theory also hold promise for visual culture, especially
promoting
subjective
a sensitive,
characteristics
personalized
of images.
reading
Drawing
of the performative
upon
jagodzinski's
and
inter
writings
Lacan's
312
Studies
inArt Education
Visual
Complicating
education
for
a visual
conceptualizing
culture
that
is "more
Culture
about
vigilant
Lacan's
of Freud's
Psychoanalytic
theory, especially
Jacques
reworking
to visual
is relevant
in several ways.
culture
First, the Freudian
on a
and emphasis
drive
offer a means
of under
origins
scopophilic2
nature
even
the seductive
of the visual
the oft-irrational,
and
standing
postulates,
inexplicable, appeal that images inspire. Second, in its focus on the indi
vidual
analytic
can
theory
image/subject
their
and
subject
lead
investments
psychic
personal
to sensitive
and nuanced
relationship,
in
images,
explanations
other methods
of visual
complementing
psycho
of the
study.
upon
sustained
by
an
unconscious
identification
with
images,
theories
can enrich
informed
theory
socio-culturally
a way of
even
the
affective,
irrational,
explaining
deeply
links between
visual
and
the formation
of subjectivity.3
In
experiences
find that the very
fact, Lacan's
psychoanalytic
theory would
inauguration
as one's
of
can be
is
and what
understood
subjectivity
consciously
identity
as the mirror
traced to a
visual
known
highly
significant
experience
stage
an
wherein
entrance
transaction
marks
into
In
image-based
subjecthood.
psychoanalytic
it offers
because
we describe
the mirror
following,
as
Lacan
that
registers
posits
integral
of one's
operation
subjectivity.
the
A Brief Introduction
In
general, Lacan
that occurs within
theorizes
the
developmental
as a
of the unconscious
process
or
as the
stages known
registers,
accessible
of Lacan's
Not
2000).
(believed
the mirror
notoriously
writings,
event
in the formation
of subjectivity
a
event, but a psychical,
physiological
metaphorical
as a
theorized
difficult
refers
to a child's
sioned
an
by
this experience
between
first
encounter
the ages
of 6 and
18 months),
stage
juncture
the mirror
stage
occa
Whether
of their reflected
glimpse
image.
a mirror
or a reflection
with
in someone's
is synonymous
with
the nascent
"visual
sense
of the
is
(Mansfield,
pivotal
to occur
eyes,
body's
to the mirror
exists within
the
stage, subjectivity
register of the
state where
and
bliss prevail.
fullness,
unity,
Within
no desires,
the real, there are no needs,
no
lack?just
complete
and utter
ness, wholeness
the
pleasure. Within
register of the real, there is
no
of an individual
that is separate
from others,
indeed
perception
body
even
surfaces
that the child
touches?the
mother's
"(t)he many
skin,
all felt to be part of a continuous,
carpet?are
clothing,
uninterrupted,
real?an
undifferentiated
real
is
to the advent
pre-symbolic,
experienced
prior
The
as a
absence
of
continues
language.
language
key
Studies
inArt Education
in looking, is "one of
the basic driveswith
"unconscious dimen
sion of the social"
should be understood
as "a necessary
supple
ment" to theoriesof the
conscious socialworld
because it "provides a
theoreticalframework
to account for the non
To Lacan's Registers
subjectivity
-According toGillian
Rose (2001, p. 100),
Freud argued that
scopophilia,or a pleasure
of one's
entry
characteristic
into
of the
313
conscious, non-rational,
but also potentially
immenselycreative
aspects of social life"
(p. 195).
Sydney Walker
even
real
with Vicki
after
one
Kevin Hathaway,
Daiello,
has
entered
the
As
the point
or
of separation
the
of
system
a
stage is
from
splitting
Rhoades
and
register
symbolic
and Mindi
critical threshold.Not only does this threshold signal the passage into the
it also marks
of the
imaginary,
register
ization of the self as a whole,
unified,
the notion
of
a unified
self
is a
the
and
of one's
beginning
separate
conceptual
being." Unfortunately,
or
meconnaissance"
misrecognition
one's
or
"I"
unified
integrated,
true
it is actually
only
that not
demonstrates
self,
of the
The
imaginary
register
paradoxical
a means
and
of communication
signification,
images
a
of
and
locus and symbolic
currency
contradictory
mirror
The
in several
gural
because
stage and
an
they
are also
illusory
self.
image.
are
only
the very
are
into the
register
significant
imaginary
the inau
First, the mirror
image represents
or
sense of an autonomous
self
ego; next,
entrance
intertwined
ways.
of a subject's
this autonomous
self is actually
moment
of an
image
misrecognition?an
other that the subject confuses with the idea of self, subjectivity is built
upon an illusion and ego stability thatwill foreverbe sought in external
or situations.
the meconnaissance
taken
Finally,
together,
images, objects,
entrance
locus
into
and
the external
the imaginary,
of the mirror stage, the
self
imaginary
and the subjective
is a complex
paradox
"center of gravity"
a contradiction,
and
that holds
one's
for self
ego
together,
is actually grounded outside of the self "in the very field of images from
which (the subject) firstgained a sense of separation" (Mansfield, 2000,
p. 43). This contradictory and external origin of subjectivityexplainswhy
and
fulfillment
security
as a
self is never
complete
achieved.
Additionally,
in being split from the unity of the real, a person's identitywill always be
to fill the lack (or
contingent and driven by desire?an unflagging desire
of
absence
the real)
at
the center
of one's
being.
In Lacanian
this
terms,
originate
conscious
at the unconscious
world
For Lacan,
and
fullness
the subject's
sense
the unbearable
because
will
ever
of
loss and
for the
the demand
that no object
level, ensuring
desires.
unconscious
one's
satisfy
or action
for a return
and subsequent
this separation
longing
It also
structure
to
unconscious.
of
the
the
is critical
entrance
into
the
symbolic
order,
the system
of
real
in the
to
unity
explains
significations
of each
person's
subjectivity
in what
originates
Lacan
calls
the
314
Studies
inArt Education
Visual
Complicating
as the
of desire,
'cause'
objet
a does
not
Culture
as an
entity
preexist desire
rather it is a nonspectacular
that
desire,
arousing
to a felt lack.
'gives body'
(p. 41)
matters
Further
complicating
material
object,"
"actual
but
is that
the
objet
refers to an
instead
a does
not
object's
an
denote
or
"spectral
or
uncon
(2004,
p. 33). The
are
an
not
in
revealed
individual's
then,
subjectivity,
only
are
in the
also
of fantasies
around which
cultures
complex
nation,
individual,
scious
fantasies"
of
origins
but
fantasies,
sustained. Building upon this idea, jagodzinski (2004) and Zizek (1989)
an
make
assertion
about
and
important
fantasy
fantasy
ideology:
a fundamental
the perception
by
"shaped
misrecognition
regarding
a
to be the result
therefore
of reality assumed
'reality,'"
perception
a
be
the
actually
fantasy
supported
"ideologies"
might
by
objet
is
of
of
a"
to be
associated
with
consciousness
constituted
a false
structures
social
is
and
ideology
actually
a
lack?a
fundamental
by
subject's
misrecogni
tion of realityoriginating in, and perpetuated by, the objet a. The objet a
is the crux
of
and
identity
is as
unique
as a
fingerprint.
the
Moreover,
throughout
Because
being,
the
lifetime.
objet
is an
is
subjectivity
exquisitely
with
fraught
sensitive
aspect
affective
complex
of each
person's
characteristics.
a "direct
the way
reflection
one's
one
subjectivity
of that
social
complications
positioning
to the
position"
brings
arise from the fact that
and
This means
explaining
positioning,
has been
also
from
but
rather
internalized
(Bracher,
(is) a function
by
2002,
p.
intersubjective
of
the particular
114). Further
are
relationships
being worthy
of
assuaging
the other's
lack as well.
why
often
people
act
in ways
others
expect
or
manifested
that
unite
teens?fantasies
as
ineffable
as
the
or
longing to be part of the "in" crowd or as tangible as iPods
body
observes
the
social
and
affective
piercings, jagodzinski (2004)
powerful
resonance
of
the
in
cultures where
youth
part of the 'in'
being
in
the
fantasies
of
culture
participation
symbolic
youth
while
the
that
unites
the
members
simultaneously
disavowing
antagonism
of the group. He
explains:
objet
group
necessitates
Studies
in Art Education
315
Sydney Walker
In
what
cultures
youth
quickly
out
contagious.
phrase?
Kevin Hathaway,
is 'cool'
and
in one
'hot'
of fashion
and Mindi
Rhoades
instance
can
fall
can be
affect, however,
as in the
identity
by
of all
three
registers.
Being
or
"surplus,"
'in'
"something
the object that is 'more than itself,'" (jagodzinski, 2004, p. 39) the objet a
is ametonymic bit of the real sought in, and enacted through, experiences
with
images
material
and
object,
open,
dynamic,
and
open-ended
in the process
as an
in desire,
and not a
Moreover,
language.
object
a is an
the
and
concept?as
dynamic
open-ended
objet
as the
it effects. Further,
the
and contingent
subjectivity
contingent
qualities
and
"becoming,"
of
of the
a ensure
objet
is
thus
it is always
to
leading
that
of ever
incapable
its
theory demonstrates
complexity,
construc
and
identity
subjectivity
understanding
in
tion. We
that Lacanian
believe
theory,
psychoanalytic
acknowledging
of
the unconscious
and affective
comple
subject positions,
underpinnings
we believe
ments
that
theories
and
socio-cultural
Further,
pedagogies.
can be of value
in visual
for
culture
Lacanian
theory
psychoanalytic
own
to
how
their
students
(and
teachers)
encouraging
self-interrogate
This
brief
introduction
its relevance
also
but
for
make
in
images
and
a
that Lacanian
theory provides
posit
psychoanalytic
we
investments
all
the emotional
for acknowledging
in
conflict
so, creates a forum for discussing
and,
doing
as valid aspects
In
of one's
and identity.
subjectivity
we
pleasure-seeking
we
of Lacanian
the
the possibilities
explore
following,
artist
Glenn
with
contemporary
Ligon's
pedagogy
psychoanalytic
online
artwork,
Annotations (2003).
routine
it exists
complicated.
as an online
artwork
because
it represents
text,
and
from
images,
initial
interpretations.
poststructuralist
sound which
at
in part,
is less routine,
Annotations
hosted
www.diacenter.org
with
approach
alter,
elucidate,
because
and more
so
layered meanings
or
one's
disrupt
a
a
Superficially, Annotations is simple electronic version of family
album. As
photo
viewer must
The
such,
it is an
interact with
ephemeral,
the album
visually
to enter
interactive
it and
turn
experience.
the pages,
most
complicating
photographs
elements
to this
in the 20-page
interaction.
album
are
One
complication
potentially
316
Studies
is that
interactive,
in Art Education
Visual
Complicating
leading
lists,
Culture
letters,
book
captions,
covers,
or
literary quotations,
"audio
of
clips
music, including the artist singing a capella or with songs from the '70s
and
Sara
'80s."
asserts
Tucker
(n.d.,
and
tions more
Another
Center
an artwork
create
associations
that func
interpretation."
possible
the Dia
of
5),
para.
loose
of Annotations
complication
is that,
from
culled
anonymity
unknown
and
viewer
disrupts
sources.
unrelated
about
assumptions
family
deliberate
Creating
albums
as a
reposi
fiction
the gaps
the conventions
and
of family
a fecund
provides
In Annotations,
to
pertaining
subjectivity.
environment
for
nuanced
to
identity
creates
what
forum
sexuality,
Ligon
for
and
family relationships,
"a site of invention,
calls
(Tucker,
ment
and
between
viewer
of
negotiation
one
On
5). This
para.
environment
dynamic
and work
that
highlights
juxtapositions"
depends
an
ongoing
on
an
engage
production
subjectivity.
the viewer
level,
through
issues
analyzing
a
dynamic,
Ligon
produces
as it relates
of
the process
subjectivity
exploring
such as race,
characteristics
Annotations
nationality.
and maintained
and Annotations
Subjectivity
Annotations
Ligon's
created
absences
albums.
may
get
a sense of
subjectivity
Ligon's
as a
gay
two
"We
inclusion
about
affect
form
of details
a multitude"
(Tucker,
as
the viewer
such
Ligon's
subjectivity
the subjectivity
of
subjectivity
responses,
Some
of the viewer
beliefs,
viewers,
liberating
work
conflicts,
because
that
these,
as a
gay Black
some
and
of
para.
Through
the
information
partial
about
factors that can
and
males.
On
through
another
the viewer's
level,
the
affective
desires.
their
subjectivity,
might
as a
part of
sexuality
in a more
respond
negative
between
Black males
and
celebrates
6).
receives
male,
Black
gay
is also mobilized
n.d.,
find Annotations
African-American
manner
while
others
might
by noting
association
sexu
uncontained
stereotypical
or the inclusion
of a homosexual
orientation
within
the concept
of
ality
a viewer
On
the other hand,
learn that sometimes
family.
gay
might
as a result of a culture's
feel
and
people
oppressed
ubiquitous
celebratory
of
can be a
associated
with heterosexual
There
display
imagery
couples.
families,
the
as well
that include
these
as a
reactions
range of responses
contradictory
host of others.
In fact, one's
influences
the
elements
subjectivity
deeply
to in artworks.
that one will notice and
respond
Studies
inArt Education
317
Sydney Walker
with Vicki
Daiello,
Kevin Hathaway,
and Mindi
Rhoades
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^^^^^^^^^1
York.
an
to frame
in
of Annotations
exploration
that
acceptance
theory does
psychoanalytic
not offer
or activities.
for classroom
prescriptive
templates
dialogues
are
an
Lacanian
in
best
used
reflective
Rather,
way.
principles
explorative,
to create
A
first step
be to offer students
the opportunity
suggested
might
Using
classroom
Lacanian
reflective
journals
and
principles
practice
requires
wherein
responses
and
guided
explored
through writings
discussion
of student
responses
of points
discovery
of conflict
or
can
to Annotations
Next,
images.
and reflections
irresoluble
issues
be
encountered
contemplation
can
help lead
generated
by
and
to the
the expe
for
arise
developing
in one's
unmediated
an
of the
that can
oppositions
understanding
paradoxical
to
to achieve
reaction
it is
While
direct,
imagery.
impossible
access
to the unconscious,
one can
the effects of
engage with
their unconscious
drives
that
by exploring
the affective
to
reactions
and
contra
Further,
shape responses
imagery.
by introducing
tensions
into the
affects and
order
unsymbolizable
symbolic
or
a student's
sense of their
through
dialogue
images,
subjectivity
might
to exceed
and even fracture restrictively
coded
that
begin
subject positions
dictory
impulses
previously
limit or oppress
agency.
318
Studies
in Art Education
Visual
Complicating
ii
-MM
^1
Glenn
Courtesy
Annotations
2003.
Ligon, Annotations,
Center for the Arts, New York, New
York.
can be understood
subjectivity
developmental
McGowan
(2004),
and
HI
The Registers
and
Lacan's
tion
b|
Ijfl
W^t
of the Dia
believe
registers.
that all
concern
express
about
Culture
Scholars
three
such
registers
the framework
of
using
as Bracher
and
(2002)
are
for educa
important
one
and
register
overemphasizing
how an artwork
or doesn't work
works
By exploring
a more
can
and teachers
the three registers, students
gain
awareness
with
of the world
and themselves. Annotations,
layers of
neglecting
within
each
complex
the others.
of
devices
that include
visual,
(Williams,
literary, and conceptual
to the viewer's
in ways
reactions
that
affective and cognitive
appeals
to the real,
of
imaginary, and symbolic registers
subjectivity.
meanings
2002),
relate
the imaginary
and
registers,
symbolic
the work
itself comprises
some
scattered
Tucker
for these
faces
family album?the
moments"
(para.
Studies
and
some
(n.d.,)
asserts
because
of
"our
portraits,
proud
In other words,
7).
inArt Education
concentrated
that
the viewer
sections
feels
of
of photos
of recogni
a sense
the conventions
intimacy with
new babies,
occasions,
special
we
recognize
the
structure
of a
banal
and
its
319
^1
with Vicki
Sydney Walker
Kevin Hathaway,
Daiello,
Rhoades
and Mindi
the photos
the album.
The
imaginary
can
register
disrupt
this sense
do
not
structure.
reinforce
For
and mirror
the viewer's
idealized
an African-American
instance,
viewer
image
might
of
feel
hers,
Ligon
students
and
must
the effects
use
that
result. A
discussion
language
their own position
understanding
to
between
"the difference
explore
artist
may
in this
regard. Further,
and
and
seeing
reading,
in
can work
an
of how
to communicate
of the Other
the
such
assist
we
the
reliability of the ways in which people see and read each other"
(broadartfoundation.org), the difference between the imaginary and the
what
symbolic,
we
we
understand.
Annotations
real. To
better
Margaret
sentative
in Camera
of the
the pre-symbolic
register
through
we call upon
we can
this
engage
register,
the realms repre
of Lacan's
(1994)
register of
reading
notion
of the punctum
Barthes'
and similar to Roland
also
be
understand
Iverson's
of trauma
Lucida
(1981).
read
how
Iverson
notes
Barthes
the tuche while
point of experience
as "this element which
rises from
described
an
arrow,
punctum
that Lacan
it as
designates
the scene,
Iverson
me"
(p. 26).
pierces
as a detail
the viewer
that "takes
by
and
this
calls
shoots
(1994)
surprise"
traumatic
the punctum
out of it like
Barthes'
explains
shares with
and
Lacan's real "an uncoded, inassimilable quality" (p. 455). That is, if the
detail could be interpretedand integrated itwould become part of the
itselfas a felt
symbolic whole, but remaining unnamable, it evidences
affectivedisruption.
Barthes (1981) argues, "the incapacity to name is a good symptom of
disturbance" (p. 51). In exploring this notion, Iverson (1994) comments
She
and the punctum.
obtuse meaning
between
overlap
possible
a
the latter is sharp and reactivates
is blunt while
that the former
an
one
of subjec
trauma.
"While
She explains,
acknowledgement
implies
the real of that loss" (1994,
awakens
tive loss, the other actually
p. 456).
on
the
notes
320
Studies
inArt Education
Visual
Complicating
Annotations
the
possesses
its unorthodox
and
to invoke
potential
the
presentation
a resistance
to
symbolic
register
that may
content
of familial
Culture
induce
strong
feelings
interpretation.
only when
one
over
the
of
the
mastery
relinquishes
illusory position
symbolic register
does
the real come
into
if the
to assume
play. Thus,
register of the real is
an
in
the
to
teachers
will
need
environment,
presence
animating
learning
an
out
an
of
arrow
that
which
"shoots
like
and
permit
acknowledgment
However,
One
objet
and
interesting
a
of Lacan's
aspects
challenging
psycho
and
the sense of permanent
(p. 39),
in the real and
In
contingency
imaginary
registers.
a is the desire we cannot
each
the
In
fulfill.
the
register,
objet
completely
a is the absence
or
the
is
what
register,
imaginary
gap within
objet
a also includes
In the
the
that
which
is
pictured.
symbolic,
perpetu
objet
from or in excess of what we can represent.
In the
ally absent
register of
a invokes trauma and
the real, the
affective response.
objet
heightened
process
flux
symbolization
depends"
that exists
and
Scholars'
of
interpretations
works
Ligon's
often
and
suggest
imply
the
from
cannot
see.
routine
the
as
available
like many
noted,
previously
in visual
culture, Annotations
from
originating
the
objet
responses
real.
Importantly,
isn't
explain, what
cannot
others,
register. When
symbolic
Additionally,
subjects
affective
of
in the
the
objet
a draws
represented,
The
for
what
a and
our
and less
engaging
can invoke
strong
pre-symbolic
register
to what
we
attention
or excluded.
is silenced
the
are
important
questions
possibilities
pedagogical
objet
expansive,
again
an
of art and education
extending
exploration
past the identity character
istics of cultural
theories. Felman
insists that the crucial
issue for Lacanian
pedagogy
Where
does
Where
does what
ignorance?
thus
precisely
I read...
the resistance
learn from
the locus
make
The
no
resist my
to
sense
[and]
understanding?
knowledge?located?
of that
ignorance? How
become:
resist
interpretation?
Where
is the
And
can
what
I
can
interpret
I
out
of thedynamic ignorance I
analyticallyencounter, both in others and
inmyself? (Felman inGallop, 1985, p. 13)
Studies
inArt Education
321
Sydney Walker
Annotations
what
language
Annotations,
Ligon
and Mindi
Rhoades
in what
works
is
Kevin Hathaway,
supposed
creates
is neither
"what
nor
of crisis
space
anxiety,
although the potential for both is present" (Arning, n.d., para. 9). An
interaction
with
Annotations
Ligon's
demonstrates
that
"if we
allow
that
the gap exists, the space can be full of possibility" (Arning, n.d., para. 9).
Annotations
to
for students
opportunities
as learners, and in
of themselves
presents
tive awareness
a
metacogni
so, discover ways
develop
in
doing
in the kinds
one's
of
agency
we
can use this kind of
and accepted.
created
Importantly,
knowledge
with
the registers of the unconscious
any artwork
investigation
engaging
occur. With
we can
to
where
these absences
this approach,
explore
begin
the ways we resist
and
learn.
knowledge
which
and
silences,
gaps,
resistances
affect
Conclusions
call for a more
Elkins'
that visual
suggestions
and
rigorous
complex
studies be "less routine
visual
studies
the
includes
in its choice
of
subjects"
of theoretical
perspectives
the concept
of the
that
self
and
is a
visual
concern
culture,
within
we
noted
sociocultural
significant
we discovered
theories. Moreover,
that
psychoanalytic
psychoanalytic
a
on the
offers
between
visual
theory
unique
perspective
relationship
We
Lacanian
and
that
propose
experience
subjectivity.
psychoanalytic
a
not
in art education,
used
be
theory,
perspective
routinely
might
and
to visual
culture.
we
Further,
stimulating
and affective
Bracher
new
possibilities
investments made
(2002)
for
offer
the current
of psychoanalytic
theory within
in art education
culture
might
complicate
introducing
flux of discussion
visual
existing
and understanding
successful
moving
students
and
at all
consideration
human
visual
about
theories,
the
exploring
in visual
images.
"education,
argues,
that
thus
personal
is
enterprises,
are
in
and
already
understanding
engaged
toward
and social
desires
personal
growth,
a tacit and
part intuitively, with
impres
only
levels
their own
involved,
under
we
standing of identity and desire" (p. 93). Concurring with Bracher,
an
its
of
find that the absence of
identity, development
adequate theory
and
alteration,
in
enabling
students
to
"fully
own
and
our
develop their identities" (2002, p. 114). This deficit has motivated
attention
to Lacanian
psychoanalytic
theory.
But
with
its notorious
required
for meaningful
into one's
incorporation
322
Studies
own
scholar
inArt Education
Complicating
Visual
Culture
in our own
that Lacanian
psychoan
investigations
finding
a means
to work
to
responses
represents
alytic theory
subjective
through
a means
of
the visual
conflicts
rather
and, as Bracher
contends,
owning
are not
than consigning
them to external
forces. We
that art
suggesting
assume
but that the
educators
the role of psychoanalyst,
of
intertwining
would
concur,
to
in the
students'
Ligon
example,
deepen
the world.
and
that
understandings
Acknowledgment
a more
is not
but
honest
unavoidable,
welcome,
only
permits
complexity
areas of
of the conflicted
Lacanian
recognition
subjectivity.
psychoana
a means
for overtly
and
the
lytic theory thus offers
approaching
mapping
not
with
ease, but in the company
territory of the subjective,
necessarily
of promise
and potential.
ties,
such
as demonstrated
of
themselves
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