Abstract: | The following text is based on the introduction to a symposium on “Psychoanalysis and the Photographer”, held at the University of Westminster in Marylebone, London, UK. (The symposium was organized by David Bate and took place on the 25 October 2014. Speakers included Vincent Dachy, Sharon Kivland, Darian Leader, Patricia Townsend and Mariah Walsh.) The text sets out a general position on the reasons for organizing the event, but more importantly is included here as a contextual paper, to situate questions about the use of psychoanalysis in relation to photography theory. The event and the aim of this text here is to consider whether a dialogue with psychoanalytic theory can offer any insight into contemporary questions about photography. |