On October 25, 2021, I participated in the podcast Art and Technologies: Modified Realities? as part of the Hypothèse lecture series. Alongside Jesse Leonard, we discussed our respective doctoral research topics, with mine exploring the connections between the objectification of the body, the reification of the object, and the transformation of artistic realities through technology.
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Show Reference:
S02E04: Art and Technologies: Modified Realities? Podcast in the Hypothèse lecture series.
Objectification of the body and reification of the object in art and photography
During this broadcast, I presented the main points of my thesis, which questions the way in which the human body becomes an object in the history of art and photography. We discussed this reality where humans transform into manipulable images, where the inanimate (such as robots) can be rewarded in competitions originally reserved for the living. These reflections highlight the growing porosity between the body, technology, and the perception of reality.
The Role of Teaching and Research Experiences
Throughout the discussion, we addressed the impact of our experiences as course instructors, research assistants, and conference speakers. These experiences shape our methodology and nurture our reflections, posing organizational and intellectual challenges: how to synthesize research in 20 minutes? How to write a scientific article?
The Challenges and Learnings of the Doctorate
We discussed the difficulties encountered during the doctoral journey: stress from the first conferences, the feeling of illegitimacy tied to age, and the need to acquire communication and stage presence skills. The thesis is part of a constant learning process, and we discussed the importance of accepting not always knowing, while recognizing that this research project is just the first step in a long academic journey.
Reflections on the Future and the Place of the Researcher
Finally, we emphasized how the thesis is an immersive project that occupies the mind constantly, sometimes making it difficult to imagine the next stage. The challenge is learning to look beyond, progressively building a trajectory that goes beyond the scope of the doctorate.