Abstract
Since the mid-twentieth century, Colombia has experienced an armed conflict, often depicted as a civil war, between State forces and different illegal groups. Despite a series of peace initiatives, the conflict has significantly evolved over the last decades. It has received considerable attention, extending beyond the national sphere. Photographic imagery, in particular, has contributed to shaping complex representations, memories and narratives of the war. Images have served multiple purposes - not without consequences for societal cohesion. Depending on the circumstances, they have revealed, distorted or obscured events and phenomena. They have oscillated between discourses and silences. Drawing on various case studies, this paper explores the ambiguous influence of photography on the symbolic construction and transmission of the armed conflict. Fundamentally, it raises questions about the meanings of democracy, as a lived experience, within a context of recurrent violence.
Presenters
Éric LairAssociate Professor, Office of the Provost for Academic Affairs, UNIMINUTO, Cundinamarca, Colombia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Armed conflict, Society, Democracy, Image, Photography, Colombia
