Public History, antropologia, fotografia: immagini e uso pubblico della storia

Abstract

This article offers some brief, introductory observations on Public History from the perspective of an anthropologist specializing in the study of images and representations. These remarks are preceded by a quick analysis of the critical background that must support otherwise naive or simplistic interpretations of Public History. Based on these premises, photography is discussed with reference to communities shaping local memory through the act of recording images which can be found in family albums, relevant collections, the archives of local photographers, thematic repositories or general collections “the way we were.”