Thesis Title: Comparison of imitation and representation in photography (1960-1970)
By: Ourya Mahmoudi
Supervisor: Dr. Javad Salimi
Degree: MA
Course of Study: Photography
June 2017
Abstract
This study deals with the reflection of philosophical thoughts about mimesis regarding initial ideas of Plato and Aristotle, and its association with photography. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare mimesis meaning as mere imitation and mimesis meaning as representation art, and this study clarified the semantic differences of the mimesis issue in photography and which of these ideas are closer to the nature of photography.
Given the purposes, the present study is practical, and it is a cross-sectional study in terms of its nature, and it is based on examining the content of existing resources. Regarding primary and secondary authentic written sources, data were collected by using the library-based methodology, meaning that concepts and issues related to the title of thesis were collected from valid written sources, and then analyzed.
In the history of photography, many people have attempted to convert photos from mere simulacrum to expression of the representation thought. After many efforts in this way, using different techniques and style in photography, and after achieving this demand, they approximately gave it up.
Key words: Mimesis, Representation, Photography, Imitation