Visual Anthropology through the Lens of Semiotics: Online Seminar at KazNU

Within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals №17. Partnership for Sustainable Development

On November 1, 2024, at 5:00 PM, a fascinating online seminar was held on the topic of "Semiotic Reading of Visual Anthropological Issues. The Problem of (De)coding Photo and Film Texts." The organizer was the Department of World History, Historiography and Source Studies of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

The seminar was led by Viktoria Vasilyeva, Visiting Professor at KazNU and Visiting Researcher at the Institute for Research on Cinema and Audiovisual Production at Sorbonne Nouvelle University (Paris).

During the seminar, participants delved into the world of visual anthropology and semiotics, discussing the following questions:

• The role of visual documentation technologies in shaping a semiotic view of culture. It was noted that photography and cinema, as tools for capturing reality, not only reflect reality but also actively shape our perception of culture through the prism of selected visual codes.
• Features of photographic and cinematographic representation from the point of view of the visual "language" used. Participants analyzed the specifics of the "language" of photography and cinema, paying attention to composition, angle, editing, and other elements that affect the semantic load of the image.
• Iconic sign: functions and properties. Within the framework of this topic, the nature of iconic signs, their ability to directly display objects and phenomena, as well as their role in the formation of cultural codes, were considered.

The seminar attracted the attention of a wide audience, including faculty, graduate students, and doctoral students. A lively discussion and exchange of views confirmed the relevance and importance of the issues raised.

The online format of the event allowed attracting participants from different cities and countries, contributing to the dissemination of knowledge and the development of scientific dialogue in the field of visual anthropology and semiotics.