The Photographic Social Memory of Juazeiro do Norte: A Study Through Private Collections
Photography. Institutional Memory. Photographic Collections. Municipal Management. Mobile Application.
This research seeks to contribute to the preservation of Juazeiro do Norte's social memory by examining photographs from private collections of local memory keepers. Over its century-long history, the city has experienced significant social and architectural transformations, shaped by its municipal leaders. Since Padre Cícero Romão Baptista became the city's first municipal manager in 1911, approximately forty-five mayors have held office. Photographic records trace the city's evolution from the old village of Tabuleiro Grande to the present-day Juazeiro do Norte, as preserved in private collections of local memory keepers like Renato Casemiro and Daniel Walker. This study employs photographs from these collections and draws on the theoretical frameworks of photography scholars such as Boris Kossoy, Susan Sontag, Roland Barthes, and Philippe Dubois. Additionally, it explores the concepts of institutional memory and mobile device technology to inform the development of the final product, a digital photo archive named Fototeca Juá. This archive will enhance accessibility for all users.