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A Homeless Concept

A Homeless Concept.
An essay about the uncanny.
 

 
Table of Contents
Introduction                     3
The Origin
Definition: Unheimliche 4
    Freud’s point of view                     5
The Analysis
The works of Emily Stainer 6
The works of Penny Siopis 8
Conclusion                                           10
Works cited                     11

 
Introduction

This essay is an attempt to interpret the aesthetic phenomenon of uncanniness. Things, people, impressions, events and situations which are able to arouse in us a special variety of the fearful; the uncanny (Strachey, 1925). A mythological fiend skulking in our subconscious minds. Das Unheimliche is an Essay written by Sigmund Freud in 1919 in which he approaches the uncanny from various interesting angles.

But as this is an essay about uncanniness in art, I will only explore the theories that are applicable. I will firstly and thoroughly define the term “uncanny”, then review Freud’s point of view - a sort of a short history or definition of the occurrence - and lastly, but not least, I will apply my knowledge of the uncanny to the works of two very talented South African artists, Emily Stainer and Penny Siopis.

The uncanny is a part of human nature that I have always found intriguing. It is as if we do not have any idea as to what secrets our subconscious minds hold, and what secret fears will emerge as a result of that fact. We cannot remember our childhood complexes, and later in adult life they might surprise us at any moment: whether it is in real life or when viewing an art object.
 
Definition: Unheimlich

The German word for “uncanny” is “unheimlich.” Unheimliche is the negation of the word Heimlich. What is interesting is that the word itself is of binary meaning (Strachey, 1925). To begin with “Heimlich 1” refers to all that is homely, tamed and comfortable. The following meaning of the word is “concealed, secret, what is not revealed.” As a result if...