Visual Documentation in Hybrid Spaces: Ethics, Publics and Transition

Abstract

The essay offers detailed reflections on the challenges of conducting research in hybrid spaces such as streets and museums. It examines the complexity of researching and visually documenting the transitory and hybrid qualities of urban zones through an analysis of two scenes, involving graffiti and street art in the space of the urban street and questions of visitor conduct, gallery space and museum design.The changing nature of public and private spaces, the complex status of the contemporary digital image and a range of ethical imperatives in digital visual research are discussed in relation to the hybrid spaces of the gallery and the street.