Construction of Reality

MgA. Alena DRAHOKOUPILOVÁ

Master's thesis

The Construction of Reality

Abstract:

The aim of the essay is to outline various strategies of artists who focus on the meaning of the term "reality", its construction, perception and representation and who work in the medium of photography. The essay examines photographs for which is crucial an element of certain unease and introduce artists, whose work demonstrates a strong disquieting tension between "real" and "unreal". Also it focuses on nature of photography medium per se, its apparent, though qualified ability to faithfully and accurately represent reality. Furthermore, it examines a way of human perception and how collective patterns of inner imagery influence looking back at the authentic reality. The practical part of the diploma work consists of the series of photographs (12 digital colour prints, size 40 x 40 cm) depicting anonymous urban sites.

Abstract:

The aim of the essay is to outline various strategies of artists who focus on the meaning of the term "reality", its construction, perception and representation and who work in the medium of photography. The essay examines photographs for which is crucial an element of certain unease and introduce artists, whose work demonstrates a strong disquieting tension between "real" and "unreal". Also it focuses on nature of photography medium per se, its apparent, though qualified ability to faithfully and accurately represent reality. Furthermore, it examines a way of human perception and how collective patterns of inner imagery influence looking back at the authentic reality. The practical part of the diploma work consists of the series of photographs (12 digital colour prints, size 40 x 40 cm) depicting anonymous urban sites.

Keywords

Contemporary photograhpy, reality, fiction, construction, model, miniature, manipulation, perception, collective memory, inner imagery

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 26. 5. 2010

Thesis defence

• Date of defence: 16. 6. 2010
• Supervisor: doc. Mgr. Michaela Thelenová

JAN EVANGELISTA PURKYNĚ UNIVERSITY IN ÚSTÍ NAD LABEM

Faculty of Art and Design

Master programme / field:
Fine Art / Photography