Review Essay Refiguring the Archive

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• The Linguistic Turn
• Refiguring the Archive
• Conventional Idea of an Archive
• Questioning the Conventional Idea
• Functions and Applications of Archives
• Post-Apartheid Archive
• Artistic Influences and Intertextuality
• Themes and Concerns
• Theoretical Framework
• Making of Archives and Power Relations
• Expanding the Definition of Archive
• Epistemological Considerations

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This essay explores the evolution of the concept of archives from a conventional understanding to a more nuanced perspective informed by the linguistic turn. It examines the limitations of viewing archives as neutral repositories of objective knowledge and argues for a critical interrogation of the processes involved in their creation and interpretation. The key themes of the essay are:

• The influence of the linguistic turn on historical methodology.
• The construction of archives as a product of power relations and social norms.
• The need to question the epistemological foundations of archival practice.
• The broader significance of archives in shaping historical narratives and cultural memory.
• The role of archives in reflecting and influencing social change, particularly in the post-apartheid context.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The essay begins by introducing the conventional notion of archives as neutral repositories of evidence for historical research. It then outlines the linguistic turn and its impact on understanding language as a constitutive element of knowledge. The essay then delves into the project of "Refiguring the Archive," which challenges the conventional view. It explores the key questions that underpin this project, such as the nature of the archive, the impact of power relations on its construction, and the potential for expanding its definition beyond traditional boundaries. The essay highlights the artistic and intertextual elements of the "Refiguring the Archive" project, emphasizing the fluidity and complexity of archival practices. It further analyzes the three main themes of the project: a theoretical critique of traditional archival thinking, the examination of power dynamics in archival creation, and a broader understanding of what constitutes an archive.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This essay revolves around the concepts of archives, the linguistic turn, epistemology, power relations, and social change. It examines the critical interrogation of the conventional understanding of archives and explores their construction, function, and significance in shaping historical narratives and cultural memory, particularly in the context of post-apartheid South Africa.