On May 7, 2021, I had the opportunity to present at the interdisciplinary transhistorical conference “Aux marges de la représentation, représentations de la marge” (“At the Margins of Representation, Representations of the Margin”) organized by ACSHA-UQAM. My presentation, titled “La photographie du robot, en marge de la représentation du corps” (“Robot Photography at the Margins of Body Representation”), delved into the complexity of how robots are represented in contemporary photography and their impact on our perception of the human body.
Article’s thumbnail: Photo by Donald Wu on Unsplash
Presentation Reference:
La photographie du robot, en marge de la représentation du corps, presentation for the interdisciplinary transhistorical conference Aux marges de la représentation (“At the Margins of Representation, Representations of the Margin”), représentations de la marge,
organized by ACSHA-UQAM.
Reinventing the Body Through the Lens
In this exploration, I discussed how photographs of robots, often seen as pure technological objects, are in fact laden with human and cultural significance. These images do not simply capture mechanical forms; they question the boundaries between human and artificial, living and non-living.
Interaction and Reception
The reception of my presentation was exceptionally positive, sparking a rich dialogue with researchers from diverse fields who explored with me the philosophical, ethical, and aesthetic implications of these representations. The Q&A session revealed a strong interest in the challenges technology poses to our traditional understanding of humanity.
Personal and Professional Reflections
This presentation was a defining experience in my academic journey, allowing me to showcase my research on a topic at the crossroads of art, technology, and philosophy. It strengthened my commitment to an interdisciplinary approach that embraces both the arts and sciences to explore the complex questions of our time.
Participating in this conference at UQAM enriched my academic perspective and confirmed the importance of continuing to explore the margins of our reality to better understand the center.