“IMAGE: TEXT” was the title of the SYMPOSION ON PHOTOGRAPHY VIII that took place in Forum Stadtpark Graz during the “styrian autumn” between October 18th and 19th 1986. In this Symposion, as well as in the accompanying exhibition, “two modes of decryption should be compared: How do photograph describe? How do texts describe? How precise an understanding description- can be achieved of the signs that constitute a photograph? does the photograph require text in order to have meaning? What is the status of “reality” in literary texts? Can photographs go beyond analogous representations of reality? (as was formulated the invitation to the contributors). In this discussion, not only image-text-combinations were to be considered, but also the autonomy of both of these modes: the image as text- the text as image. Description versus fiction. Reflection versus association. Accentuation, illustration versus inarticulate mysteries.

This issue of CAMERA AUSTRIA gather the first part of the contributions- both photographic works and texts- too this Symposion, by Hubertus v. Amelunxen, Regina Carstensen,Peter Dressler, Allen Ginsberg, Frieda Grafe, Bodo Hell, John Hilliard, Martin Kippenberg, Albert Oehlen and Timm Starl. The forthcoming issue of CAMERA AUSRIA will be dedicated to the contributions by Victor Burgin, Jochen Gerz, Einar Schleef, Manfred Schmalriede and Peter Weiermair, and will complete the publication of SYMPOSION ON PHOTOGRAPHY VIII.

We do have to thank the committee of “styrian augumn “, first of all Peter Vujica, for both the moral and financial support of or Symposion since we starter this series in 1979. “Kunstforum  Länderbank”, in 1986, offered generous financial help. Last, but not least we are grateful for the contributions of the authors, to both the Symposion and the completion of this publication.

Christine Frisinghelli, Manfred Willmann