On February 24, 2024, I had the privilege of presenting my research at the Philopolis conference at McGill University. My presentation, titled “La tension merleau-pontienne du corps dans la production artistique du XXe siècle” (“The Merleau-Pontian Tension of the Body in 20th-Century Artistic Production”), explored the influence of Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s phenomenological theories on 20th-century art.
Presentation Reference:
Jessica Ragazzini, (Febuary 24, 2024), La tension merleau-pontienne du corps dans la production artistique du XXe siècle (“The Merleau-Pontian Tension of the Body in 20th-Century Artistic Production”),,
presentation for the Philopolis conference, McGill University
A Bridge Between Philosophy and Art
My presentation addressed how Merleau-Ponty, with his philosophy centered on perception and the body, influenced 20th-century artists. I examined specific artworks that illustrate how bodily perception can be a creative act, thus reflecting Merleau-Ponty’s ideas on the intertwining of body and world.
Interaction and Reception
The presentation was received with great interest by an audience mainly composed of students and professors in philosophy and the arts. The discussions that followed helped deepen our understanding of the connections between Merleau-Ponty’s philosophy and 20th-century artistic movements, and allowed for debate on the application of his theories in contemporary artistic practices.