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Thesis Info
- LABS ID
- 00817
- Thesis Title
- Towards an Ecosophy: A Reading of the Critical Significance of Experimental Ethnographic Video Through the Lens of Félix Guattari’s 'The Three Ecologies'
- Author
- Edward Christie
- E-mail
- edward.christie.14 AT ucl.ac.uk
- 2nd Author
- 3rd Author
- Degree
- Master of Arts
- Year
- 2018
- Number of Pages
- 82
- University
- The Courtauld Institute of Art
- Thesis Supervisor
- Professor Julian Stallabrass
- Supervisor e-mail
- julian.stallabrass AT courtauld.ac.uk
- Other Supervisor(s)
- Language(s) of Thesis
- English
- Department / Discipline
- History of Art
- Copyright Ownership
- Edward Christie
- Languages Familiar to Author
- URL where full thesis can be found
- Thesis available through The Courtauld Institute of Art's library, or on request by contacting the author
- Keywords
- Experimental Ethnographic Video, Ecosophy, Environmental Crisis, Crisis, Climate Change, Felix Guattari
- Abstract: 200-500 words
- In this paper, I maintain that we might illuminate the critical significance of experimental ethnographic video through the lens of Félix Guattari’s 'The Three Ecologies'. By analysing three important works that have been made within this movement since its rise in the late-twentieth century (Juan Downey’s 'Video Trans Americas', Roy Villevoye and Jan Dietvorst’s 'The New Forest', and Ursula Biemann and Paulo Tavares’ 'Forest Law'), I consider different approaches to ethnographic filmic experimentation, which, I argue, are united by an investment in resisting hegemonic modes of subjectivity and working towards the formation of modes of being that resemble Guattari’s ecosophy. Although this is manifested in different ways across the practices, this ontology is premised on a reformulation of otherness; denotes a transversal consideration of the interconnections between individual psyches, communities, and the environment; and emphasises the importance of heterogenesis, or the continuous singularisation and opening up of possibilities for existence as a means of resisting the homogenising and destructive ambitions of the modern capitalist state. Ultimately, therefore, the films collectively advocate forms of being that value individuality, coexistence, and innovation; and in this way point towards a totalised means of challenging climate change and other related crises that are caused by contemporary capitalism.