Memory Policies. Documentary and Archive

The anthology of texts "Politiche della memoria" investigates the relationship between art and documentary practices, starting from the reflection and experimentation of some of the most prominent contemporary artists and filmmakers. At the center of the reflection is the theme of the use of the image as a document and its possibilities of manipulation. Constructing memory through the archive and narrating history through documentary are not impartial practices or exercises in style, but translate a point of view and contribute to legitimizing a vision of reality. In opposition to the media monopoly of images, the authors propose a visual rewriting of controversial issues such as post-colonialism, the Lebanese post-war period, the Middle Eastern conflict, and global migration processes. "Politiche della memoria" scrutinizes the ways in which data are recorded, accumulated, and archived.

The anthology includes contributions from: John Akomfrah, Eric Baudelaire, Ursula Biemann, Yervant Gianikian and Angela Ricci Lucchi, Khaled Jarrar, Lamia Joreige, Gintaras Makarevicius, Angela Melitopoulos, Deimantas Narkevicius, Lisl Ponger, Florian Schneider, Eyal Sivan, Hito Steyerl, Jean-Marie Teno, Trinh T. Minh-ha, Wendelien van Oldenborgh, Clemens von Wedemeyer, and Mohanad Yaqub.

The text explores how the construction of memory through the archive and the narration of history through documentary are not neutral practices, but rather convey a particular point of view and contribute to legitimizing a specific vision of reality. In contrast to the media's monopoly on images, the authors propose a visual rewriting of controversial issues such as post-colonialism, the Lebanese post-war period, the Middle Eastern conflict, and global migration processes.

By scrutinizing the ways in which data are recorded, accumulated, and archived, "Politiche della memoria" challenges the assumption of impartiality in documentary practices and invites the reader to reflect on the political implications of these processes. The anthology brings together the reflections and experiments of a diverse group of contemporary artists and filmmakers, offering a multifaceted perspective on the complex relationship between art, memory, and the politics of representation.

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