Formes et figures du 'tri'age - 17 sept pm

Item: Formes et figures du 'tri'age - 17 sept pm
Rating: 4
Author: PostSingularity Institute

Humanities, Social Sciences & Thought Society & Culture JBSSocial groups, communities and identities JBSPAge groups and generations

🎙 MISHA 👥 2K 📅 September 18, 2025 ⏱ 117 min 👁 55 📄 conference 🧭 2026-08-18

Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

humanitarian imagerytriagevisual ethicsrepresentationsuffering

Summary

This panel discussion, part of a colloquium, features a keynote by Valérie Gorin, director of programs at the Centre for Humanitarian Studies at the University of Geneva, on the visual iconography of humanitarianism through the lens of ’triage’. Gorin explores how humanitarian images select, prioritize, and frame certain subjects and suffering, creating hierarchies of compassion. She draws on her curatorial work for the ‘Who Cares’ exhibition at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum, highlighting how archival practices themselves constitute a form of triage. She discusses recurring figures like the child and the mother, and the absence of men, linking these to colonial and orientalist gazes. She addresses the ethics of representing suffering, including the ‘pornography of suffering’ and the paradox of distant suffering, referencing scholars like Susan Sontag, Judith Butler, Didier Fassin, and Luc Boltanski. The talk is followed by a roundtable with journalist-photographer Louis Witter and author Marina Skalova, moderated by Vittoria Dell’Aira, discussing narrative and visual representations of humanitarian crises.

164 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The value of the information is high, providing a comprehensive overview of critical perspectives on humanitarian imagery. Gorin’s argumentation is solid, systematically building from historical examples to contemporary debates, and integrating theoretical frameworks from key thinkers. She effectively demonstrates how visual choices are not neutral but reflect power asymmetries and moral hierarchies. The inclusion of specific case studies (e.g., Alan Kurdi, Omran Daqneesh) grounds the theoretical discussion in concrete realities. The roundtable adds practical insights from professionals in the field, enriching the discussion with firsthand experience.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The presentation demonstrates strong scientific rigor, with clear references to academic works (Sontag, Butler, Fassin, Boltanski) and institutional archives (ICRC). The speaker’s expertise is evident. The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the concept of ’triage’ in humanitarian visual culture. The discussion is well-structured and adheres to academic standards. The roundtable participants bring professional credibility, though their contributions are less systematically referenced. Overall, the sources are credible and appropriately cited.

172 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the concept of 'triage' in humanitarian visual culture.

Quality & Reliability

8/10

The presentation is based on established academic work in visual culture and humanitarian studies, referencing key scholars (Sontag, Butler, Fassin, Boltanski) and institutional archives. The speaker is a recognized expert (director at the Centre for Humanitarian Studies, University of Geneva). The content is well-structured and supported by historical and contemporary examples.

Key Moments

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

Cited Sources

Devant la douleur des autres — Referenced by Gorin on the moral dilemma of images
Ce qui fait une vie — Referenced on the performative power of framing
La raison humanitaire — Referenced on moral and political triage
La souffrance à distance — Referenced on the spectacle of humanitarianism
Minimal Humanity — Referenced on the quantification of needs

Concurring Sources

Susan Sontag - Regarding the Pain of Others — Aligns with the discussion on the moral dilemma of images.
Judith Butler - Frames of War — Supports the idea of framing and grievability.
Didier Fassin - Humanitarian Reason — Relevant to the concept of moral triage.

Contribution & Novelties

The talk offers a nuanced application of the concept of ’triage’ to visual culture, moving beyond individual images to include archival practices and institutional policies. It synthesizes existing theories and provides concrete examples, highlighting the ethical paradoxes that persist in humanitarian communication. The discussion with practitioners adds a practical dimension.

Pour aller plus loin :

Susan Sontag - Regarding the Pain of Others — Key text on the ethics of representing suffering.
Judith Butler - Frames of War — Explores how framing determines which lives are grievable.
Didier Fassin - Humanitarian Reason — Analyzes moral economies in humanitarianism.
Luc Boltanski - Distant Suffering — Discusses the politics of pity and spectatorship.
ICRC Audiovisual Archives — Primary source for humanitarian imagery.

120 words

Radar Profile

The radar profile shows high scores in information quantity, quality, and reliability, with a slightly lower technical level, reflecting the accessible yet scholarly nature of the presentation. The overall balance indicates a well-researched and credible discussion.

Reliability 8/10