Georges Didi-Huberman

Introduction

The video starts with music playing in the background.

Migration and Images

The speaker talks about migration and images, drawing from the works of Aby Warburg and Walter Benjamin. He explains that images are operators of migration, as they are made to migrate from one place to another. He also mentions that even the art of Renaissance Florence would not have been possible without migration.

• Donald Trump's power is nothing compared to the power of human movement.

• The speaker is interested in the theory of images and how they relate to migration.

• The speaker comments on a poem by Nikki Jean-Marie about a social medical dispensary in Greece that treats people who have lost their rights.

• The migration of images is stronger than anything else, including humans themselves.

Simplistic Views on Migration

The speaker discusses simplistic views on migration, such as Donald Trump's proposal to build a wall. He argues that these views fail to take into account the constant phenomenon of migration and its complexities.

• Simplistic views on migration fail to understand its complexities.

• Human beings are inherently migrants, according to anthropological science.

• Social programs should be put in place for migrants and those who have lost their rights.

Images as Operators of Migration

The speaker delves deeper into the idea of images as operators of migration, drawing from the works of Aby Warburg and Walter Benjamin. He explains that even a small image like a postage stamp can help transmit a message across borders.

• Images are made to migrate from one place to another.

• The art of Renaissance Florence would not have been possible without migration.

• The speaker references the book "Images in Spite of All" by Georges Didi-Huberman, which explores the relationship between images and migration.

Migration and Poetry

The speaker comments on a poem by Nikki Jean-Marie about a social medical dispensary in Greece that treats people who have lost their rights. He also discusses his admiration for poets and artists who work towards creating a more humane world.

• Social programs should be put in place for migrants and those who have lost their rights.

• The speaker comments on a poem by Nikki Jean-Marie about a social medical dispensary in Greece that treats people who have lost their rights.

• Poets and artists can work towards creating a more humane world.

The Power of Images

In this section, the speaker discusses the power of images and their ability to convey a message. He emphasizes that images are not just objects but rather a testimony or witness to something else.

The Function of Images

• The speaker explains that images have potential power, but it is not the same as having actual power. They have no control over people unless they are related to something else.

• He notes that the desire to transmit knowledge and heighten awareness was what drove the man or group in question to create these images.

• The speaker references Serge Grudzinski's work on Aby Warburg and explains that philosophers often make the mistake of trying to define what an image is in general, when in reality, an image always refers to something else.

Language vs. Image

• The speaker draws parallels between language and images, stating that there can be a war of language just as there can be a war of images.

• He notes that when studying images, it is important not to focus on what they are in general but rather what they represent specifically. This includes their ethical dimension and political implications.

Victor Hugo's Art

• The speaker discusses his interest in Victor Hugo's art and how it relates to French culture.

• He notes how Hugo's use of metaphors and imagery in Les Misérables has been criticized by some for being too lyrical but argues that this is precisely what makes his work so powerful.

Victor Hugo and the Migration of Images

In this section, the speaker discusses the relationship between Victor Hugo's lyrical observations of the world and morphological analysis. He also talks about his personal experience with a friend who was a psychoanalyst and how their work together influenced his thoughts on images.

Victor Hugo's Lyrical Observations

• The speaker notes that Victor Hugo's observations of the world are similar to lyrics.

• He explains that he does not separate the lyrical image of an uprising or demonstration from morphological analysis.

• The speaker mentions that he believes there is no separation between photography and text when it comes to analyzing images.

Personal Experience with Psychoanalysis

• The speaker talks about his personal experience with Pierre Fédida, a psychoanalyst who was an assistant to Vic Binswanger.

• He expresses gratitude for Mélina Balcazar Moreno translating his text, which was originally an eulogy for a friend who was a psychoanalyst.

• The speaker discusses how he worked with Pierre Fédida on various projects, including publishing Charcot's book on demonic possession in art.

Migration of Images

• The speaker notes that images are constantly migrating and influencing different fields such as literature, philosophy, painting, and psychoanalysis.

• He explains that there was a time in European intellectual history where reflection on images was at the forefront of human sciences.

• The speaker mentions that Walter Benjamin believed that images were the center of history and politics.

The Role of Image in Critical Thinking

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of critical thinking and how various fields such as history, anthropology, psychology, philosophy, etc. can be used to achieve it. He emphasizes the role of images in critical thinking and how they can be used to produce an effect of truth.

The Importance of Critical Thinking

• Critical thinking is essential for understanding complex issues.

• There can be no reflection on history or evil without a critical reflection on images.

• Adorno's theory of critique highlights the importance of having a critical knowledge of images.

The Role of Images in Critical Thinking

• Images have the power to produce an effect of truth.

• Images can criticize language and themselves.

• Artists like Goya use their work as a form of critique.

The Aesthetics of Rhythm

• The philosopher Henry Maldiney developed an aesthetics of rhythm that emphasizes its fundamental importance.

• Rhythm remains an important concept that needs further exploration.

This transcript is in French.

The Concept of Source

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of source and how it is not a singular point but rather a dynamic and fluid movement with multiple sources.

The Nature of Sources

• A river does not have one source, but rather many sources.

• Images also have multiple sources, including historical and psychological factors.

• There are many sources to an image.

Deleuze's Views on Psychoanalysis

In this section, the speaker discusses Deleuze's views on psychoanalysis and how he wrote about it in his book "L'Absence."

Deleuze's Writing on Psychoanalysis

• Deleuze wrote a text about psychoanalysis in his book "L'Absence."

• This does not contradict his criticism of psychoanalysis as a whole; rather, it shows that strict divisions can be problematic.

Philosophy and Precise Objects

In this section, the speaker talks about philosophy as being more than just seeking truth. They discuss the importance of precise objects in philosophy.

Philosophy and Precise Objects

• Philosophy is not just about seeking truth; it should also focus on precise objects.

• Even small objects can be analyzed to reveal insights into larger situations.

• Walter Benjamin's work is an example of analyzing small things to understand larger concepts.

Morphology and Group Phenomena

In this section, the speaker discusses morphology and group phenomena and how they relate to understanding larger concepts.

Morphology and Group Phenomena

• Analyzing small things can reveal insights into larger situations, like a crystal in a solution.

• The position of center is important in resistance movements.

• The relationship between image and history is complex and requires nuanced analysis.

Varied Perspectives

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of varied perspectives when analyzing objects or situations.

Varied Perspectives

• Changing your perspective can reveal new insights into an object or situation.

• Varying your perspective is necessary to fully understand something.

Analyzing Art and Politics

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of analyzing both the figures and backgrounds in art. They also touch on the idea that history is often written by the victors, but it's important to consider the perspectives of those without power.

Importance of Background in Art

• The speaker proposes that we should not only focus on figures in art but also pay attention to the background.

• They give an example from their work studying Renaissance paintings where they focused on what was traditionally considered "background" elements like faux marble.

• The way a filmmaker treats extras can reveal their political beliefs.

History Written by Victors

• The speaker mentions Benjamin's idea that there are two types of history: one written by victors and another about those without power.

• They argue that it's important to consider both perspectives when studying history or politics.

• The speaker notes that it's unfair to criticize someone like Camus for being part of a colonial world since he was working within it.

Considering Other Perspectives

• It's important to try to imagine other people's positions, even if it's difficult.

• The speaker gives an example of how as a European discussing indigenous Mexicans could be seen as either trying too hard or objectifying them.

• They mention how difficult conversations about intellectual topics can be.

Conclusion

• The speaker briefly touches on education and cinema before ending abruptly.

Language and Images

In this section, the speaker discusses the role of language and images in our lives. He argues that while we are bombarded with false language and images, we cannot do away with them entirely as they are an integral part of our humanity.

The Role of Language and Images

• The speaker argues that language is an essential part of being human, and we cannot do away with it.

• While we are overwhelmed by false images, the speaker believes that we cannot do away with them entirely as they are a crucial aspect of our anthropology.

• The speaker disagrees with Claude Lanzmann's argument that we should leave behind images because of their misuse. Instead, he believes that we should defend the use of images in our culture.

• The speaker cites examples such as Goya to illustrate his point about defending the use of images against their misuse.

Migration Crisis

In this section, the speaker talks about migration crisis and how it can be addressed. He also discusses some philosophical perspectives on art.

Addressing Migration Crisis

• The speaker does not participate in debates on migration crisis personally but believes that helping people affected by war is necessary.

• He cites a text called "The Origin of the Work of Art" by Martin Heidegger to explain his perspective on art's foundation.

• The speaker proposes an alternative to Heidegger's notion of art's origin through Benyamine's philosophy.

Philosophical Perspectives on Art

• The speaker discusses the controversy between Heidegger and Meir Shapiro over Van Gogh's shoes and how Derrida wrote about it.

• The speaker explains that Heidegger believed that art is founded in the soil, while Benyamine proposed an alternative to this notion.

Building Walls and Migration

In this section, the speaker discusses the idea of building walls to prevent migration and how it ultimately fails.

The Failure of Building Walls

• The speaker argues that building walls is ineffective and gives the example of the Berlin Wall.

• She recommends a book called "Wall and Words" which shows how building walls for economic or migratory reasons always leads to failure.

• The speaker notes that there will always be people who try to cross over walls, using the French expression "faire le mur" meaning "to escape over a wall".

• The speaker quotes Nikki Diana Marquardt who says that migrants are already here in our culture and minds, even if they haven't physically crossed any borders.

Specificity of Each Situation

• The speaker talks about her experience discussing migration with people from different countries, highlighting how each situation is unique.

• She mentions a comment made by a migrant in Mexico who said that stopping or staying in one place could lead to being killed. This highlights how values can be inverted depending on the situation.

Work in Progress Exhibition

In this section, the speaker talks about an exhibition she is presenting on uprisings as a work in progress.

Exhibition as Process

• The speaker explains that her exhibition on uprisings is not a result but rather a process.

Desire to Disobey

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of political imagination and its role in movements of emancipation. The speaker also mentions important authors such as Mme Bocoum and Ernst Bloch who contributed to this movement.

Political Imagination

• The concept of political imagination involves imagining in the realm of politics.

• Images and imagination contribute to movements of emancipation.

• Important authors who contributed to this movement include Mme Bocoum and Ernst Bloch.

Confrontation between Laws and Fundamental Rights

In this section, the speaker talks about how there is a confrontation between laws and fundamental rights. They mention that images have a relationship with dignity, ethics, and law.

Relationship Between Laws and Fundamental Rights

• There is often a confrontation between laws and fundamental rights.

• This has existed since ancient Greek tragedy, such as in the story of Antigone.

• Antigone is a prototype for uprisings against power structures.

• She situates a right higher than the law dictated by those in power.

Relationship Between Images and Ethics/Law

• Images have a relationship with dignity, ethics, and law.

• This relationship needs to be brought back into focus.

Conclusion

The speaker discusses political imagination's role in movements of emancipation. They also talk about how there is often a confrontation between laws and fundamental rights. Finally, they mention that images have a relationship with dignity, ethics, and law that needs to be brought back into focus.