I am applying the theories of shared visual anthropology and the methodology of shared visual ethnography to produce collaborative films with 9 individuals who have had a breast cancer diagnosis. My practice seeks to position patients as active producers of knowledge by facilitating a framework for them to “structure their view of the world - their reality - through film” (Sol Worth 1997: 7). It addresses the constraints of knowledge produced by a singular authorial view through the presentation of the individual perspectives and aims to capture the experience of having had a breast cancer diagnosis in a language that is not sanctioned. Equally though I don't want to promote a trope of victimology. My practice challenges the hegemonic epistemes used in clinical research to explore illness experiences. Cameras were 'handed over' to patients for 6+ months, the resultant footage has been collaboratively edited and will form a gallery installation in December 2014.
Worth, S., Adair, J. (1997). Through Navajo Eyes. An Exploration in Film Communication and Anthropology. Revised edition. Albuquerque. University of New Mexico Press.
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| Still: TB 2012 |
The next presentation is with Tom Tlalim, 10.30am, Friday 13th December 2013 in MRB Screen 3.
