[-empyre-] Re: Tina Gonsalves on "Bare Life"

[M White <mwhite@michelewhite.org>]

Ana's consideration of existence also reminds me of
medical imaging issues--particularly as they relate to
women. I wonder if Tina would comment on the ways she
uses technologies that tend to image women but prevent
women from seeing or having any control of their
depictions? The ultrasounds that pregnant women
receive are one of the few instances where women are
allowed to see their own depictions. In most cases
[other ultrasounds, CAT scans, MRIs?] the images are
held back from the "patient" or technicians and
doctors refuse to read what the individual is seeing
on the screen. I requested to see a CAT scan and the
technician wouldn't let me view it without my doctor's
permission. What does it mean when we lose control of
our bodies in such ways and can be seen by others but
cannot "look" at "ourselves?" I am reminded of Roland
Barthes' indication that other individuals can see us
but we can never see the full view of self except
through such mediating structures as mirrors and photography.