Massimo Leone (Univ. de Turin, Univ. de Shanghai) “Les animaux masqués” (ULiège, 18/01/2023)

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of this lecture lies in its rich semiotic interpretation of a single image, connecting it to broad historical and philosophical contexts. Leone’s argumentation is meticulous: he first describes the photograph in detail, then traces the cultural background of the macaque in Japanese folklore and theatre, and finally uses the mask as a lens to explore the asymmetrical power relations between humans and animals. The discussion of imitation and mimicry raises original points about the human monopoly on bestowing face, thereby enlightening the ethical dimension of animal representation. The argument is coherent and persuasive, though at times the density of cultural references might obscure the main thread.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The lecture demonstrates strong scientific rigor in its systematic contextualization of the artwork. Leone refers to the photographer Jasper Doest, the film by Pierre Huyghe, and the traditional Japanese practice of sarumawashi, but he does not provide a formal bibliography. The sources are used illustratively rather than critically, which is typical for a conference presentation. The title ‘Les animaux masqués’ is accurate and evocative, capturing the essence of the content. No major discrepancies between title and presentation were observed.

The title accurately reflects the core topic: the video examines animals (specifically Japanese macaques) that are masked and forced to perform in human contexts.

8/10

The lecture is delivered by an internationally recognized semiotician and is based on close visual analysis and cultural contextualization. The argumentation is coherent, well-structured, and supported by specific examples. The scientific quality is high, though the presentation is not extensively referenced beyond the discussed works.

Markers derived by PSI from the transcript: the creator did not define chapters.

• 05:00Introduction by Maria Giulia Dondero and presentation of the speaker.
• 15:00Leone introduces the prizewinning photograph of Japanese macaques and starts the semiotic analysis.
• 30:00Discussion of the traditional practice of sarumawashi and its historical roots.
• 1:00:00Analysis of the power relations and the role of the mask in human-animal interactions.
• 1:30:00Presentation of Pierre Huyghe's video installation featuring a Noh mask in a post-disaster landscape.