"In Don Slater's article 'Photography and Modern Vision', he argues
that photography had the power to transform the material world.  To
REPRESENT, TO KNOW, and TO TRANSFORM become mutually reinforcing
activities."

I have never read the article, nor can I find it on the web.  Can
someone explain to me what that statement means?  I have to write a
8-10 page paper for my Graphic Communications class on the subject of
"TRUTH" based on Slater's argument in relationship to a body of images
that have to do with any topic of my choice.   Any suggestions on
where to go from here?

MC720 --

There are a couple of good options for what appears to be a
frustrating assignment for you:

First, Slater's article is in a book called "Visual Culture,"
Christopher Jenks (editor), published by Routledge, London & New York,
1995.  That should help in getting a copy.  You may wish to see this
class syllabus for similar works on the topic:
http://www.scu.edu.au/schools/hmcs/core/waysknowing/pdf/topic06.pdf

Second, using the following Google search strategy will get you
Slater's list of publications, as he teaches at the London School of
Economics, and his writings on photography and the Internet have been
widely reviewed:
"Don Slater" + photography

Here's a little background on Slater:
London School of Economics and Political Science
"Dr. Don Slater" (undated)
http://www.lse.ac.uk/collections/sociology/whoswho/slater.htm

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

---

Clarification of Answer by omnivorous-ga on 05 Dec 2002 20:24 PST

MC720 --

I sat down to read the Dec. 9 copy of The New Yorker and discovered
that they have an interesting article on photography's influence on
our views of war called "Looking at War."

Going on-line to see if it was available, there's a 2nd article on
photography and its influence that touches on your topic:
The New Yorker
"Shooting Wars"
http://www.newyorker.com/online/content/?021209on_onlineonly01

Be aware that The New Yorker changes its web content regularly, so
that link may disappear.  Good luck with the essay!

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA