Philosophy Seminars - Digital Technologies, Critique and Society II
“From the Image of the World to the World of the Image: Cinematic Images and World-Building”
Time: 15:00 – 16.30
Speaker: Hasan Cem Çal
Moderator: Emre Şan
The history of images, but especially cinematic images, is essentially a history of reversal: from the image of the world to the world of the image. This implies that while cinematic images initially referred to, were situated within, and were part of a world, a real world, with digitalization, they have increasingly become subject to the reverse condition. Cinematic images, formerly characterized by their analogical nature and two-dimensionality, pointed to a physical, concrete world; today, characterized by their digital nature and three-dimensionality, they point to a virtual, abstract world.
In this seminar, we will focus on this reversal, examining how and under what conditions the relationship between cinema and the world has transformed, and the implications of this transformation. In this context, based on the contemporary definition of cinema—that is, defining cinema as moving images—we will position cinematic images as a specific medium encompassing video games, expanded cinema experiences, reality technologies (VR, AR, MR, and XR), and more. Accordingly, we will trace the radical change in cinema's relationship with the concept and phenomenon of the world. In doing so, we will focus on the concept of world-building and present a new definition of this concept through cinematic images. In other words, we will discuss how cinema functions as a world-building tool, the functions it acquires in this capacity, and the types of "worlding" processes it undergoes.
Hasan Cem Çal completed his undergraduate studies in the Department of Cinema and Television at İstanbul Bilgi University, and his master's degree in the Philosophy and Social Thought Program at the same university. He has authored over two hundred texts on various subjects, including cinema, music, and literature, and published them on various platforms such as Manifold, K24, Kompleks, Piksel.Bülten, and Çapak Dergi. He has been part of the editorial team of Manifold since 2021. He is also the co-host of Wax Podcast, which features detailed analyses of various films, and the solo host of Cinecept Podcast, which focuses on concepts of cinema. He is currently continuing his doctoral studies in the Communication Sciences Program at Kadir Has University. His research areas include film philosophy, experimental film and video, media theory, video games, and expanded cinema.
* The event will take place at the Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Conference Hall.
* The seminar will be held in Turkish. To attend this seminar, you can create your registration by using the "Register" button on the page and receive your free event invitation. Registrations will open 1 week before the event date (14.12.2025, at 15:00) and the "Register" button will become visible. Participation is limited to a quota of 80 people.
* Participants who have completed the event registration and received their invitation are kindly requested to be at the venue at least 15 minutes before the event. The doors will be closed at the event starting time.