The deviation away from the white: the anti-normalization in Barbara Wagner’s images

Abstract

Departing from images produced by the Brazilian photographer Barbara Wagner in the series Brasilia Teimosa (Recife, PE, Brazil), this paper addresses questions concerning the visibility of "others". By reflecting on some aesthetic and political implications of a set of photos, we ask whether these images can function as an anti-normalization instrument, which is capable of destabilizing stereotypes and prejudices. The analysis is based on a semiotic methodology that focuses not only on the objective aspects of photography, but also on its subjective aspects, which are grounded on the objective basis. It will make use of operative concepts from Michel Foucault’s work, more specifically the notions of “normalization” and “civilized bodies”.