An archeology of self-representation: from the Renaissance to the Selfie

I am proposing to research the historical tradition of self portraiture as a way to reflect on the very contemporary preponderance of self portraits in digital media/networks. On order to identify links between art history and contemporary self-representations, I will examine and document different collections of self-portraits and artworks related to the depiction of the self at museums, churches and galleries in Venice, Florence and Rome, starting with the archives at Ca’ Foscari University.
Based on this documentation, I will then produce a new archive of images and related notes, grouping them according to body postures and facial expressions, which I will later compare to current digital self-depictions.
Expected outcomes will take form in a collaborative art piece with performance artist and PhD candidate Sergio Valenzuela. Theoretical aspects developed with Professors Dalla Gassa (Italy) and Hughes (Canada) will be integrated into my written thesis, which I will present at conferences and academic events in Canada and abroad.

Faculty Supervisor:

Lynn Hughes

Student:

Partner:

Ca’ Foscari University of Venice

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

New and Digital Media; Entertainment and Media; Technology

University:

Concordia University

Program: