Philosopher Rocco Ronchi on the Mystical Origins of Photography
In a video interview, philosopher Rocco Ronchi (born Forlì, 1957) discusses the first historical use of the verb "to photograph," as recounted by Didi Hubermann in "La conoscenza occidentale." The story involves the hermit Philotheos the Sinaite (9th–12th century), who in an ecstatic prayer asked God's light to imprint on his body. Ronchi argues that photography, in its original intention and utopia, transcends representation to become pure presentation, aligning with philosophy's ethical aim to embody truth rather than represent it. The interview was conducted by artist Silvia Camporesi (born Forlì, 1973), who works with photography and video.
Key facts
- Rocco Ronchi is a philosopher born in Forlì in 1957.
- The verb 'fotografare' first appears in a story about the hermit Philotheos the Sinaite.
- Philotheos lived between the 9th and 12th centuries in a cave on Mount Sinai.
- The story is recounted by Didi Hubermann in 'La conoscenza occidentale'.
- Ronchi claims photography's original intention goes beyond representation to become pure presentation.
- Philosophy's original sense was ethical: to embody truth, not represent it.
- The interview was conducted by Silvia Camporesi, born in Forlì in 1973.
- Camporesi is an artist working with photography and video.
Entities
Artists
- Rocco Ronchi
- Silvia Camporesi
- Philotheos the Sinaite
- Didi Hubermann
Locations
- Forlì
- Mount Sinai