Abstract
When are images also records and why does it matter? This paper uses critical archival theory from library and information studies to explicate when images are sufficiently contextualized to serve as records. From an archival studies perspective, a record is potential evidence of human activity that crosses space and time. Aggregations of records created or compiled by the same source are collections, while archives are collections of collections. Tracing these key terms through the creation, archivization, and circulation of one photograph stored in the South Asian American Digital Archive, this paper shows how theories of images and records diverge and makes the case that archival theory is crucial to understanding the circulation and activation of images across formats and times.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Archival Studies, Circulation, Records, Theory, LIS
