Papers on Social Representations

Exploring images of otherness through cinema: Analysis of counter-visualities in Portuguese films

Isabel Macedo — 2023-12-30

In the contemporary context, where cultural flows intensify, studies on images of otherness can play an important role in reflecting on imaginary dimensions of social representations, as well as in contesting the multiple axes of exclusion. Cinema can be a privileged arena for such studies, as it is situated between the plural universes of media and art, reflecting and often anticipating the trends of its time. In this paper, we analyse the role of cinema as a space for the construction, reproduction, and (re)construction of social representations of identity and migratory experiences. We performed an exploratory analysis of all publicly funded film production in Portugal from 2018 to 2022. In the 359 film synopses analysed, the absence of important terms such as “racism” or “social discrimination” stands out, even in films that address displacement experiences and inclusion difficulties. However, we identified counter-hegemonic images and narratives among the productions, especially considering identity representations. Three films were selected for in-depth analysis: Fruit of Thy Womb, by Fábio Silva (2021); Bustarenga, by Ana Maria Gomes (2019) and Nha Sunhu, by José Magro (2021). In the analyses, we discussed the “language of images” and how the productions portray issues such as intercultural and intergenerational dialogue, gender stereotypes and racism, considering factors such as distance, angle, and gaze. We highlight the importance of greater visibility for films like these, capable of expanding the discussion of important social issues and combating the asymmetric circulation of stories and memories, a crucial factor for social change.

The right to stay: Exploring graffiti and street art as political representations against touristification in Lisbon

Carolina Fernandes — 2023-12-30

Tourism has increased significantly in Southern European cities, with it radically altering central urban neighborhoods and communities’ lives into tourism commodities that often lead to the (in)direct physical and psychological displacement of dwellers. Whereas social sciences’ research has already started to give voice to the psychosocial impacts of this touristification problem, not much attention has yet been paid to how individuals and communities attempt to contest it. Graffiti and street art are forms of political participation that have been traditionally neglected as communicative and citizenship practices by Political and Social Psychology. In this paper, we will contribute to this research agenda by considering graffiti and street art as representational projects, that reflect, propose and negotiate meanings in the public sphere. Through a wandering ethnography, 19 images of ilegal and legal graffiti and street art that directly or indirectly referred to tourism were collected during 2018-2019 in Lisbon historic touristified neighborhoods. The images were then analyzed using Pragmatic Discourse Analysis. Analyses revealed two main themes, on ‘Contesting Touristification’ and ‘Discussing the housing crisis’ and a set of associated subthemes. These reveal that meanings of place as community and as a right, and the relations between touristification, the housing crisis and social justice, are brought to the public space through graffiti and street art by resorting to culturally relevant symbols and associated identities. This research shows graffiti and street art as ways of re-presenting touristification and the housing crisis in Lisbon that contribute to politicizing these issues in Portugal.

The power of the image and the role of social representations in iconographic reproduction: the pink triangle

Louis Joe Kernahan — 2023-12-30

The following study explores the narrative following the pink triangle within queer history as a political symbol and its resulting evolving social representation. First used within Nazi Germany and later reclaimed by social movements, it is now used today often within the creative reproduction of professional and novice artists. A mixed methodology was evoked to observe several instances of iconographic reproduction of the pink triangle across myriad mediums of artistic creation from couture to body art. These examples originate exclusively from WEIRD English-speaking countries. This preliminary explorative analysis of social representations within these uses instilled the processes of anchoring and objectification which hold major roles in the construction and ongoing development of social representations. This analysis suggests the major events that give the pink triangle meaning are integral to the identity of the queer community where its use in artistic creation is important for how queer individuals navigate the world and their place within it.

Social Representations of Istanbul: Socio-Spatial Analysis via Visual and Verbal Techniques

Mehmet Karasu — 2023-12-30

The aim of this study is to examine how Istanbul is represented visually and verbally adopting the approach of Social Representations. A field study was carried out with 158 undergraduate students in Istanbul. A questionnaire form was administered in the first stage of study including questions about the demographic characteristics of participants, and their metaphors about Istanbul. The drawings as a visual technique were used in the second stage. The results were analyzed by inductive content analysis. The prominent themes in drawings were grouped as ‘panorama of Istanbul,’ ‘problems of Istanbul,’ and ‘behaviors and appearances of residents in Istanbul.’ The results of metaphor analysis revealed the following salient themes: ‘contrasts,’ ‘diversities,’ and ‘problems.’ The social representations of Istanbul are influenced by its socio-cultural diversity, spatial properties, historical background, problems, people’s daily activities there.