Fotomuseum Winterthur | Online Events | Wednesday, 18.01.2023, 19:00–20:00

Online Panel Discussion: Networked Animal Media

From beluga whales stealing GoPro cameras and octopuses taking selfies to humans wandering through video games as animals, this online panel discussion will explore the relationship between us and animals within the photographic act. Starting from the tradition of documentary photography, the invited speakers will share their thoughts on how the hierarchy between photographer and subject has been challenged or even inverted. Can animals become photographers, collaborators or what role do they play in imaging systems? How can a different relationship between authors and subjects be conceived? How can the anthropocentric vision and the speciesist gaze be questioned?

Among the speakers are the artist duo Neozoon, researcher Sara Swain and artist Thomas Hawranke. Neozoon is a female artist duo founded in 2009, often tackling issues of animal discrimination and human-animal relations. Their work employs found footage from YouTube and other sources, which is reappropriated and recontextualised to explore sociological questions and reveal the asymmetrical power between humans and animals. Sara Swain is a writer, researcher and educator. She writes about pop culture and animals and has taught courses in communication, media, film and television studies. Thomas Hawranke is an artist, researcher and lecturer. He has realised several projects illustrating the representation of animals in video games and also discussing ethical concerns among players in forums and blogs.

The event is free, will be held in English and takes place on Zoom. Details on how to access the online lecture will be confirmed upon registration. Register here.

This event takes place in the framework of the exhibition Jean Painlevé – Feet in the Water. French film director Jean Painlevé (1902–1989) had a passion for scientific cinema. He was interested in engaging a broad audience in the discovery of natural science through film and devoted most of his life to documenting fauna – especially species from the underwater world. Over a period of more than 50 years, Painlevé shot over 200 short films. The films, photographs, and documents in the exhibition reflect not only his engagement with science but also his desire to share the mysteries of living matter and creatures that inhabit Earth.