Knowledge, awareness, consciousness : the observer effect in portraiture : a study on portraiture and the development of a methodology towards its approach

Abstract

The goal of this thesis is to develop a semi-formal methodology for portraiture – focussing particularly on digital media such as photography and videography – in such a way that this may be utilised, followed and repeated by others. The methodology crucially borrows key learnings from fields outside the confines of art in order to inform and enhance the process itself. Amongst others, fields of neuroscience, psychology and forensic science are used for this purpose. The portrait in this context is considered as a fragment of information, which can be collected, deconstructed and optimised in order to produce a result which effectively investigates the character of a subject and efficiently delivers this message. The methodology is developed through an initial historical analysis, followed by the investigation of various concepts and components which form critical elements of the process of portraiture. These include elements such as empathy, silence and the enhancement of observation skills through practices such as mindfulness meditation. The former two elements are looked at from a psychotherapeutic lens, investigating their practice within a clinical environment. All these elements are then applied to the investigative aspect of the portrait. Further to this, the methodology is extended to cover the process of post-production, indicating how best to approach the optimisation of the fragment of information collected through the investigative phase, in order to transform it into a more manageable – in terms of the amount of information which is retained – yet still valid fragment, which can then be presented to the viewer in such a way that can be easily absorbed and related to. The entire methodology and process which is developed throughout the investigative phase of the thesis, is put into practice through the production of two experimental portraits, created using an amalgamation of various media – namely photography, videography and written text. The works are then exhibited publicly and accompanied by a questionnaire, which is used to analyse the viewers’ reactions and draw conclusions on the success of the project and its associated methodology.