For this week, we were assigned two readings which took a slightly alternative study of memory.

1. Roland Barthes- Camera Lucida

In essence, Barthes aims to provide an alternative insight into photography, asserting its classification as more than just a form of observation and perspective, while focusing specifically on the subsequent connection between the fundamental roles of emotion and subjectivity in the process. Ultimately, Barthes adheres to this apparent new consciousness presented by Photography, expressing a multitude of perspectives surrounding the notion of capturing its existential qualities of time and space. Moreover, Barthes successfully extracts the ‘study’ of photograph out of the realm of analysis, devising a new form of scientific examination. Essentially, by constructing such a customized framework, Barthes transitions beyond conventional determinations of art and technicality and draws upon matters of absolute subjectivity.

favourie quotes:

“I wasn’t sure that photography existed; that is had a ‘Genius’ of its own.” (pg 3)

“The This, in short, what Lacan calls the Tuche, the Occasion, the Encounter, the Real in its indefatigable expression.” (pg 4)

“the photograph is never anything but an aniphon of ‘Look’, ‘See’, ‘Here it is’, it points a finger at a certain vis-à-vis and cant escape the pure deictic language.” (pg 5)

“I possessed only two two experiences; that of the observed subject and that of the subject observing.” (pg 10)

“each time I am photographed.. I invariably suffer from a sensation of unauthenticity, sometimes of imposture.” (pg 13)

“for me, the photographers organ is not the eye (which terrifies me) but his finger.” (pg 15)

2. A Neurologists Notebook:

The Minds Eye

What the Blind See: Oliver Sacks

In Sack’s ‘The Minds Eye’, a consistent tension between fixation and flexibility within the human brain is evidently portrayed within his cohesive study of the dual relations between the mind and the brain. While Sacks inherently allows for sense of a multi-dynamic and extensively complex neuroplasticitical analysis, the author simultaneously highlights the various mirroring aspects articulated when uncovering the interrelation between experience and creative capabilities. Further, Sacks relentless questioning, “But to what extent are we—our experiences, our reactions—shaped, predetermined, by our brains, and to what extent do we shape our own brains?” reveals the underlying dilemma we face as humans when attempting to decipher between what is within our reach of control and what is beyond it; physically and psychologically.

“when phrenology was at its height, and the brain was seen as a mosaic of “little organs” subserving everything from language to drawing ability to shyness.” (pg1)

indicated a brain-mind organ beneath), neurology and neuroscience have stayed close to the idea of brain fixity and localization—the notion,in particular, that the highest part of the brain, the cerebral cortex, is effectively programmed from birth: this part to vision and visual processing, that part to hearing, that to touch, and so on.

“But to what extent are we—our experiences, our reactions—shaped, predetermined, by our brains, and to what extent do we shape our own brains?” (pg1)

“He seemed to regard this loss of visual imagery as a prerequisite for the full development, the height-ening, of his other senses” (pg2)

Additional Notes;

Neuroplasticity, also known as brain plasticity, is an umbrella term that encompasses both synaptic plasticity and non-synaptic plasticity—it refers to changes in neural pathways and synapses due to changes in behavior, environment, neural processes, thinking, emotions, as well as changes resulting from bodily injury.

FILM : MEMENTO (2000) – Christopher Nolan

The psychological thriller and neo-noir film Memento, directed and written by Christopher Nolan in 2000, was inspired by his brother’s short story Memento Mori. Nolan is known for his dark psychological thrillers that often have non-linear timelines. His films usually begin with the films end scene, and conclude with characters resolving or describing issues or events presented in the film but never fully explained. Nolan also has a recurring theme of justified dishonesty and vengeance for the death of a loved one in his films, which Memento is centered around.  Nominated for two academy awards for Original Screenplay and Film Editing, this noir film low budget film follows main character Leonard Shelby on his quest for vengeance for the murder of his wife.

Interesting Insight into FIlm – http://www.avclub.com/article/imementois-puzzle-structure-hides-big-twists-and-b-88452

For our first int. seminar assignment, we were instructed to read a selection of Van Gough’s letters as well as a selected chapter from Foers, Moonwalking With Einstein. Then, i stumbled across a phrase i’d yet heard of in my schooling career, but would instantaneously become oh too familiar with.

Talking notes…

Initially, the task to this assignment wasn’t gaining the full understanding of the letters, or attempting to answer the question of ‘How do you find the smartest person in the world?’, but honestly, the challenge was wrapping my head around what exactly a talking note was.

It was with great difficulty and the assistance of fellow classmates that i eventually discovered the true meaning behind the expression and frankly i was underwhelmed.

They are simply notes you make for talking.

1. Letters from Vincent Van Gough to his Brother Theo (July 1880)

This letter ultimately provides a direct insight into the bleak and philosophical comprehensions of Gough, during the midst of what appears to be a dark and highly stressful period where the artist feels both repentant for the absence of a familial connection while dissatisfied by the extent of his artistic progress. In the repetition of his rhetorical questioning, Gough contemplates his purpose as both an emerging artist aswell as a devoured Rembrandt ideologist; expressing his concerns of “Wandering from Pillar to Post” for the remaining of his career. As such, the extended metaphor of a caged bird in Goughs final paragraphs, draws on highly optimistic tone to demonstrate the artist’s utter desperation for freedom and success while addressing the complexities of the underlying desire to live without objection.

Favourite Quotes:

“What the moulting season is for birds…misfortune and hard times are for us human beings.” (Page 1, Para 3)

“What is known as the soul never dies, but lives on for ever” (Page 2, Para 3)

“Wandering from pillar to post/ the future looks rather bleak…” (Page 2, Para 7)

“Much as the rough draught turns into a sketch” (Page 3, Para 4)

“What am I good for, could I not be of service or use in some way, how can I become more knowledgeable and study some subject or other in depth?” (Page 3, Para 7)

“I am good for something! My existence is not without reason!” (Page 6, Para 4)

“Do you know what makes the prison disappear? Every deep, genuine affection.” (Page 7, Para 4)

3. Moonwalking With Einstein

“Brains are notoriously trickier to quantify than Brawn” (Page 6, Para 2)

“our culture consistently inundates us with new information, and yet our brains capture so little of it” (Page 7, para 1)

“to the extent that the sum of our memories and wisdom the sum of experience, having a better memory would not only mean knowing more about the world, but also more about myself “ (page 7, para 1)

“our culture is an edifice built of externalized memories” (pg 19, para 1)

‘The Art And Science of Remembering Everything” essentially highlights the dual complexities of a westernized culture that, in reality, has become entirely reliant upon an ‘externalised memory.’ From ‘literature, music, law, politics, science and math’ (pg 19), the revolution of human intelligence is ultimately depicted in its limitation, as Foer juxtaposes the brilliance of ‘Mental athletes’ and the predicaments of a modern society that purely exists as constitution of documented knowledge. Further, the reading abundantly clarifies a somewhat overlooked notion about the way memory and the human brain is perceived. Through a repetition of questioning and revelation, the author underlines concerns about the spontaneity and inconsistency of memory as well as it’s true capabilities.

Apart from arriving at the wrong class (inevitable as a fresh- freshman), first day of school was relatively smooth. Professor Ron introduced himself as our Integrated Seminar teacher and allowed for us to do the same. We were asked to select our three favourite movies when handing in our Roll Call Attendance sheet…

Then we began a small writing assignment, which required us to select between two narrative instructions in regard to memory.

“… Write about a moment when you haven’t trusted your memory…”