Privilege and Making Sense: Using Filmmaking to Find the Cracks in The World

Simon Tarr (University of South Carolina)

Art is often hailed as a way that people make sense of the complicated world around us. This process of “making sense” is also described in theoretical models that come from communications, information science, human computer interaction, and other disciplines. However, when it comes to figuring out new and complex processes, existing models do not adequately or specifically account for effects of culture or privilege on those processes or behaviors.

In this session, Professor Tarr examines the process of teaching the technically complex process of filmmaking–itself an industry of problematic representations and ongoing lack of visibility and recognition for less-privileged groups.

Simon Tarr is an artist, information scientist, and educator. He creates films, live shows and immersive environments that he has performed at Carnegie Hall, LaMaMa and around the world from Tokyo to Cairo. Tarr is the coordinator of the Media Arts program at the University of South Carolina. He is a recipient of the University Film and Video Association Teaching Award for achievements in pedagogy that contribute to the field of film and video education.