Between Presence and Absence: the narrative in the works of Sophie Calle

• Grant number: 25/05028-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Anthropology
• Principal Investigator: Sylvia Caiuby Novaes
• Grantee: Julia Rampazzo Cavalcanti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Artist Sophie Calle is known for investigating the boundaries between the visible and the invisible, operating at the threshold between documentary and fiction. This project analyzes the works L'Hôtel and Le Carnet d'Adresses, examining how the interplay of photography, text, and performance constructs fragmented narratives that prompt the viewer to decipher absences and project meanings. Engaging with concepts from Roland Barthes and Georges Didi-Huberman, the research explores the relationship between gaps, memories, and autofiction, offering a reflection on how these strategies challenge traditional notions of representation. Through iconographic analysis and critical review, this study aims to contribute to visual anthropology, emphasizing the role of the gaze as an active device in the construction of identity and intimacy in contemporary contexts. (AU)