Photojournalism in transition: the memory of the post-soviet independence processes in the World Press Photo (1989-1997)
Abstract
The fall of the Soviet Union set in motion multiple transitional processes. This study analyzes their representations through the World Press Photo contest between 1989 and 1997, in a period that covers the so-called “parade of sovereignties” and the Jasaviurt agreements, which put an end to the First Chechen War. Using the Self-Assessment Manikin scale as a methodological tool, we examined the tone and visual rhetoric in the winning photographs. We concluded that violence-oriented tropes and aesthetics prevailed over other possible and more comprehensive representations. Finally, we aim to contribute to the debate on the responsibility of photojournalism as a historical archive, highlighting the importance of visuality in the construction of collective memory.
Downloads
Article download
Crossmark
License
In order to support the global exchange of knowledge, the journal Historia y Comunicación Social is allowing unrestricted access to its content as from its publication in this electronic edition, and as such it is an open-access journal. The originals published in this journal are the property of the Complutense University of Madrid and any reproduction thereof in full or in part must cite the source. All content is distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 use and distribution licence (CC BY 4.0). This circumstance must be expressly stated in these terms where necessary. You can view the summary and the complete legal text of the licence.
