Replicating life : an exploration of the traditional family photo album and the reenactment of photos in contemporary art

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to investigate the role of the intervention on photographs in contemporary art and to contemplate how the value of the family photo album alters through time. It is also a further exploration on the outcome of false memories that can be evoked by photographs. The findings are the result of questionnaires and research relating to these subjects. The first part of this dissertation is dedicated to the study of a number of aspects linked to the importance of the family photo album. Significant information and studies relating to family photographs were documented throughout this research. Results have led to the issue of how false memories are easily evoked through certain photographs; those displayed in the family album and also those that are manipulated in certain ways. Thus, what started off as a study of the connection between photography and memory developed into a selfexploration of personal photographs.