Paper short abstract:

This talk will explore the relationship between archaic labour and photography in Ceylon with an emphasis on pearlescence and how this might contribute to phenomenologies of light. The economies of pearls and their relationship with visual representation are viewed as allegories of governmentality.

Paper long abstract:

Can the world be thought of in terms of sepia and light? This talk will explore the relationship between archaic labour and photography in colonial Ceylon with an emphasis on pearlescence and how this might contribute to phenomenologies of light. The economies of pearls and their relationship with visual representation perhaps can act as an allegory of colonialism pushed to the threshold of governmentality. The paper examines the photographic practice of Lionel Wendt and Plate & co. -a Colombo based studio.

Turning to the work of Michael Taussig on colour it seeks to explore the power of shamanism and archaic labour. I propose that sepia read in terms of its materiality can offer one mode of thinking about colour, nostalgia and anachronism.