Mimesis; recreation films and film figures through different mediums by focusing on mimetic deviation

Official URL: http://risc01.sabanciuniv.edu/record=b1648965 (Table of Contents)

The focus of this thesis is how the subject matter of mimesis can be discussed in terms of how imitating the other can lead to the process of becoming another, thinking like another and therefore understanding the other in this act of embodiment. Mimesis will be approached as a method to deal with the corporeal experience of embodying different characters and the act of idolizing. The characters in the movies exist as images and the act of idolizing has a distance in which the adoration is addressed to the image of a person. But what I am interested in, is the idea of taking a step further away from the admiration. Therefore, the process of searching for an idol leads to becoming that character and acting in sync with a person outside of oneself. This idea will be framed by examining other artworks in various media including the films of Jean Luc Godard who has an approach in his movies where he lets his actors to portray both themselves and their characters in that particular movie. I will also reference my own work which includes paintings and installation to explore the subject matter of mimesis.