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A Study on Inter-Subjectivity in Dan Graham's Art Works : Centering on M. Merleau-Ponty's Theory of Perception

  • The Journal of Aesthetics and Science of Art
  • Abbr : JASA
  • 2016, 46(), pp.265-293
  • DOI : 10.17527/JASA.45.0.08
  • Publisher : 한국미학예술학회
  • Research Area : Arts and Kinesiology > Other Arts and Kinesiology
  • Published : February 28, 2016

So La JUNG 1

1이화여자대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study examines from performances in late 1960s to video installation art and pavilion works in 1970s through Merleau-Ponty's theory of perception. Graham has explored the subject and the object, seeing and being seen, inter-subjectivity which makes the relationship between the subject and others by experiments of perception itself in his works. In this investigation process, he set up the viewer not as the observer of works but as an active performer. Maurice Merleau-Ponty's theory of perception, which will be one of analysis of Graham's works, mainly asserts that it can obtain every source of knowledge from perception and the subject of perception is the body. Merleau-Ponty asserted that the cognition of ourselves is also based on the perception. That is asserted that perceiving the world leads self-reflection to orient the perceiving subject. In this respect, he though other people as the other ego to share the world together, not as a kind of the objects. He thought that I have an internal connectivity through the body with other people, in other words, they are in neither one nor two relationship composed of the same organization, which is a flesh. Therefore, Merleau-Ponty took a position that we do not establish the individual subjectivity first, we have the subjectivity on the connected world with others, in other words, on the world of inter-subjectivity. This consideration about the subject and others from Merleau-Ponty's study on perception meets Graham’s position to deny the independent subject as the fixed concept. The process which subject and object reversibly switch their positions through the perception and reach the self-awareness can be also read in Graham's works. In addition, Graham asserted that pure presence was impossible in the process of perception, showing others, inter-subjectivity, time and memory and coded meanings in society. Summing up disclosures in Graham's works, first, he denied the subject and object as fixed concept. In his works, viewer plays an important role to form the works. The presence of viewer completes the meaning of works. However, at this time the viewer is not only the subject to watch the works but also the object to be seen. Second, unlike minimalism, he denies pure presence and tried to show various entangled timely and spatial contexts when the subject perceived. Our perception cannot exclude these. Third, he tried to disclose the subject not as individual but as the subject in the society with others. Ultimately it shows the formation of inter-subjectivity through his works. In conclusion, whether Graham used a mirror or video feedback, he tried to show that the perceiving subject can reach his own perception, seeing oneself or others, that is, perceiving oneself. Seeing leads the step of self-reflection after the perception and the subject, viewer can see oneself who is seeing. Furthermore, the seeing one realizes the subject in the society and his subjectivity formed in the relationship with others, perceiving the context where he is.

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