[CESERH] IMACTIS Research Seminar. Images Today org. by DONDERO & D’ARMENIO (21/9/21) - Seance 1

[CESERH] IMACTIS Research Seminar. Images Today org. by DONDERO & D’ARMENIO (21/9/21) - Seance 1

[CESERH] IMACTIS Research Seminar. Images Today org. by DONDERO & D’ARMENIO (21/9/21) - Session 1

🎙 Bruno Bachimont, Pierluigi Basso Fossali 👥 178 📅 November 23, 2021 ⏱ 176 min 👁 75 📄 expert opinion 🧭 2026-10-09
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

archivesdigitizationvisual semioticssymbolic formimage manipulation

Summary

The seminar begins with introductions by the organizers, Enzo D’Armenio and Maria Giulia Dondero, who present the IMACTIS project and the three axes of the seminar: epistemological, identity, and digitization. Bruno Bachimont then delivers a lecture on the epistemology of audiovisual archives in the digital age, discussing the different regimes of archives (proof, library, documentation, patrimony) and the tension between preservation and manipulation. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity and the need to balance technical manipulation with semiotic interpretation. Pierluigi Basso Fossali follows with a discussion on the augmented image in relation to the concept of symbolic form, exploring how digital augmentation transforms visual meaning. The seminar concludes with a Q&A session (not transcribed). Overall, the content is highly theoretical and addresses key issues in visual semiotics and digital culture.

130 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information lies in the depth of theoretical reflection provided by two senior scholars. Bachimont’s argumentation is systematic, categorizing different archival regimes and problematizing the impact of digital tools on archival authenticity. Basso Fossali’s contribution, though shorter, engages with the philosophical concept of symbolic form, linking it to contemporary digital imaging. Both presentations offer original perspectives, though they rely on established theoretical frameworks rather than novel empirical data. The argumentation is coherent and well-developed, but the lack of visual support or concrete case studies may limit its accessibility.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The scientific rigor is high, as the speakers are recognized experts in their fields and their reasoning is logically structured. However, the presentations do not explicitly cite external sources or provide a bibliography, which weakens the verifiability of their claims. The title accurately reflects the content, being a research seminar session on images today, and the content matches the advertised theme. No public comments were provided, so audience reception cannot be assessed.

178 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately describes the seminar, noting the IMACTIS research seminar on images today, organized by Dondero and D’Armenio, and indicates it is Session 1.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The seminar features two established academics in semiotics and digital media, presenting rigorous theoretical reflections. The content is well-structured and grounded in established scholarship, though it lacks direct empirical evidence or explicit citations of external sources.

Key Moments

Contribution & Novelties

The seminar provides a novel interdisciplinary perspective by connecting semiotic theory with practical issues of digital archival manipulation. Bachimont’s distinction between archival regimes offers a useful taxonomy for scholars. Basso Fossali’s application of symbolic form to augmented images is a fresh theoretical contribution. The emphasis on the need for a ‘good use’ of digital tools in archives is an original stance that balances technological possibilities with hermeneutic constraints.

Pour aller plus loin :

  • Semiotics — Relevant to the core discipline of the seminar.
  • Digital archive — Directly discusses the challenges and definitions of digital archives.
  • Symbolic form — Pertains to Basso Fossali’s conceptual framework.

104 words

Radar Profile

The scores indicate a balanced profile with high quality and quantity of information, moderate technical level, and a slightly lower reliability score due to lack of explicit source citations. The seminar is dense with expert knowledge but may require specialized background to fully appreciate.

Reliability 7/10