Abstract:
This research seeks to analyze the human search for meaning through authorial photography. To this end, issues related to the presence of this theme will be investigated from the perspective of psychologist Viktor Frankl, to the representation in authorial photographic art that reflects the author's interior, and to the relationship with theological perspectives of spirituality as addressed by André Droogers and Alister McGrath. The work of two contemporary authorial photographers, Danny Bittencourt and Laura Makabresku, will be approached through the semiotic methodology of still image analysis developed by Gemma Penn, with the aim of understanding how the human image created by these artists expresses the theorized search for meaning by
Frankl. The proposed dialogue seeks to connect authorial photography, the meaning of life and theological perspectives of spirituality. The research is divided into four chapters. The first explores the meaning of life according to Frankl and introduces the concept of authorial photography. The second chapter introduces the photographers and analyzes how their works express human self-understanding and the search for meaning. In the third chapter, theological perspectives of spirituality are discussed, relating them to the creative process of photographers. The fourth and final chapter is dedicated to the researcher's authorial photographic series, called Ruach, and explores her personal vision of the human being, the search for meaning and spirituality. The methodology involves bibliographical research, analysis of photographic works, interviews and observation of the artists' social networks. The research seeks to establish a dialogue between photography, theology and logotherapy, seeking to understand how authorial photography can reflect human beings in their search for meaning and express spiritual aspects.
