Anaglyph

2023

Much like the "cartographic eye" eloquently elaborated upon by Christine Buci-Glucksman, the field of aviation represents a complex interplay between the mechanical and the sublime. This concept nourishes various imaginaries of journeys, displacements, and drifts in art, resonating with the modernist ambition to challenge conventional understandings of space within the artistic domain. Rosalind Krauss, in her essay "Sculpture in the Expanded Field," also discusses how boundaries can become fluid and definitions can broaden, echoing the multifaceted nature of the "cartographic eye."

Adopting the visual style of traditional red-cyan 3D imagery, Anaglyph invites viewers to engage with a "virtual eye," a concept that Buci-Glucksman suggests could redefine an aesthetic of immanence in a world filled with various forms of violence. Beyond simple visual fascination, the piece provokes thoughtful reflection. In a time dominated by augmented reality and virtual environments, Anaglyph resonates with Marshall McLuhan's concept that "The Medium is the Message." It serves as a reminder that even as mediums change, the foundational experiences that underpin them continue to be invaluable.

The piece urges viewers to acknowledge, value, and distinguish the historical elements intricately interwoven into modern artistic expressions. It is a journey through time and space, much like the "cartographic eye" that Buci-Glucksman describes, which spans from the 16th century to the present day, offering a multifaceted view of the world.

— Mohamed Louanjli

References for my photography course:

Walter Benjamin
The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction
A seminal essay from 1935 where Benjamin discusses the changing role and understanding of art in the age of mass production and reproduction. One of his main points is the concept of "aura," which refers to the unique presence and authenticity of artworks, particularly in their original form.

Rosalind Krauss
Sculpture in the Expanded Field
A well-known essay from 1979 where Krauss discusses the evolving definition of sculpture in the 20th century, particularly in the context of modern and postmodern art movements. She introduces the idea of a broader and more fluid understanding of what constitutes sculpture.

John Berger
Ways of Seeing
A 1972 television series and later a book that digs into the interpretation of art and the influence of cultural contexts and societal norms on perception. Berger emphasises how art is seen and understood based on various factors, including societal conditioning.

Marshall McLuhan
The Medium is the Message
A phrase coined by McLuhan in his book "Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man" from 1964. McLuhan argues that the medium itself (e.g., television, print, digital) shapes and controls the scale and form of human association and action.

Christine Buci-Glucksman's "L'Oeil cartographique de l'art" is a foundational text published in 1996 that explores the concept of the "cartographic eye" in art. The work examines how artists have used cartography and geographical representations as a motif and a model for creating art that opens up aesthetic possibilities. One of her central themes is the idea of the "cartographic eye," which serves as a multifaceted lens through which art can be viewed and interpreted. This concept has historical roots, tracing its evolution from the Renaissance to contemporary art, and serves as a metaphor for the various ways in which art can be understood in different temporal and spatial contexts.