engleski

On the Eternal Present

In addition to its teleological framework, the use of the word “history” (especially) in the Western, Judeo-Christian world, includes a duality and intertwinement of two senses: sight and hearing (Benveniste). Their rivalry is that of two traditions, the Greek and Roman. The authority of the figures of witness and judge draws its origin precisely in the visual and aural ways of knowing. The epistemological thematization of history follows the same path, particularly when it comes to “woman”. Often mute and blind, she is never witness/judge to many crucial events. “Woman” in history neither speaks (testifies), nor scrutinizes (renders judgment). She is denied the right to testify and pass judgment, thus denied the right to history. To the extent to which she is denied the status of witness, she is also kept within the bounds of the present. The teleological framework of history allows the female only the now. These claims are elaborated through a reading of the painting Fountain of Youth (by Luca Cranach the Elder) and representations of this concept that emerge from this work of art. The woman of the past could use her senses only for the purpose of conserving or regenerating youth as time- less time, without testimony or judgment. Woman here is understood not in the literal sense of the word, but rather, as a metaphor for all those in history who could not leave trace of their authentic existence.

history, historia, woman, eternal present

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