The Battle of Images
Session
Art & Digital Media
Description
My research will focus on journalistic images from times of war and conflict and their impact in the way we view, understand or even remember the past. Particularly since such images might capture, depict and document real events, but they might also produce various, conflicting interpretations.
The wars of Yugoslavia during the 1990s provide one such place for examination. On one hand, the media images coming out of various war-related localities offered insight into what was happening in the ground and how people were being affected. On the other hand, media images would often become subject to conflicting interpretations led by propaganda.
It is said that the war of images is as strategic as the real war, especially today when we live in a digital world where information spreads quickly, regardless whether it is verified or not. To triumph one must “win” both wars.
So, how can we handle such images in research? In what ways can propaganda be re-
discussed and re-evaluated, and become part of a larger discussion? Moreover, can images from more than 20 years ago also serve as a guide to unraveling and understanding perspectives unknown by engaging in discussion with the authors or the protagonists of the images? I believe so.
With the “Battle of Images” — as reality or as a distortion of reality; as individualization of emotions or now — I will try to explore how images can serve as places to discuss and further understand the conflicting interpretations behind them.
Proceedings Editor
Edmond Hajrizi
ISBN
978-9951-550-50-5
Location
Lipjan, Kosovo
Start Date
29-10-2022 12:00 AM
End Date
30-10-2022 12:00 AM
DOI
10.33107/ubt-ic.2022.55
Recommended Citation
Muja, Alban, "The Battle of Images" (2022). UBT International Conference. 56.
https://knowledgecenter.ubt-uni.net/conference/2022/all-events/56
The Battle of Images
Lipjan, Kosovo
My research will focus on journalistic images from times of war and conflict and their impact in the way we view, understand or even remember the past. Particularly since such images might capture, depict and document real events, but they might also produce various, conflicting interpretations.
The wars of Yugoslavia during the 1990s provide one such place for examination. On one hand, the media images coming out of various war-related localities offered insight into what was happening in the ground and how people were being affected. On the other hand, media images would often become subject to conflicting interpretations led by propaganda.
It is said that the war of images is as strategic as the real war, especially today when we live in a digital world where information spreads quickly, regardless whether it is verified or not. To triumph one must “win” both wars.
So, how can we handle such images in research? In what ways can propaganda be re-
discussed and re-evaluated, and become part of a larger discussion? Moreover, can images from more than 20 years ago also serve as a guide to unraveling and understanding perspectives unknown by engaging in discussion with the authors or the protagonists of the images? I believe so.
With the “Battle of Images” — as reality or as a distortion of reality; as individualization of emotions or now — I will try to explore how images can serve as places to discuss and further understand the conflicting interpretations behind them.