Cartography of memory. Aby warburg and the atlas mnemosyne

Abstract

In 1905, Aby Warburg, a german art historian of Jewish origin interested in western classical culture proposes a heuristic research method on memory and images. Holder of a huge image catalogue, Warburg devises a procedure to investigate and represent unobvious relations system trough collage and montage: the Bilderatlas Mnemosyne. Process allows replacing of images or introducing new elements to establish new relationship, an open & infinite procedure that creates a personal cartography thus making possible new constant rereading. Barely developed due to his premature death, Aby Warburg's lessons permeate all the coming visual culture.