Dr. Anisha Palat, Paul Mellon Centre, London gave a talk on How We Look at Animals: Colonial Legacies and Contemporary Frames on 13 August at N 119, Nilgiri Block. Summary of the talk as explained by Dr. Anisha Palat:
This talk explores the intersections of animals and photography in South Asia, using colonial-era hunting photographs as a lens through which to examine shifting human-animal relations. Colonial photographs, where animals were often depicted as trophies, specimens, or spectacles, played a key role in establishing imperial narratives of control over nature and the nonhuman, and in showing hunting as an act of celebration and triumph. This talk examines whether a reconsideration and review of such photographs provides a space with which to rethink anthropocentric and imperial legacies. It also considers how contemporary photographers engage with animals, and the ethics, responsibility, and connection of contemporary images to their colonial predecessors. In today’s world and digital age, how do we look at animals, and why does it matter?
Dr Anisha Palat holds a Ph.D in History of Art from the Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh. Her doctoral research explored the relationship between the cow and caste in contemporary Indian art, highlighting how these themes manifest in various artistic practices. Anisha has presented her research at conferences and workshops globally. She currently serves as convenor of ‘Unfinished Visions: A Collaborative Research Series on South Asian Visual Culture’ at the University of Edinburgh. Her previous role as convenor of the Climate & Colonialism Reading Group at the Paul Mellon Centre, London, involved thinking with climate and related themes. In addition to her research, Anisha was part of the editorial team for The South Asianist journal, Centre for South Asian Studies, University of Edinburgh.
Title: How We Look at Animals: Colonial Legacies and Contemporary Frames
Venue: N 119, Nilgiri Block