​Cultural representation is not a neutral presentation of history, but rather a power practice that organises meaning through visual forms. Visibility determines which cultures are understood as “worthy of being seen”, while others are marginalised or simplified.

 

Visual Regimes and Power

 

Micha Cardenas (2017) notes that visibility does not necessarily bring recognition. Conversely, within hyper-visualised cultural environments, certain bodies and identities endure persistent scrutiny while remaining precarious. Such viewing often serves emotional consumption rather than comprehension.

 

Technological Representation and Stereotyping

 

In digital culture, image production increasingly relies on algorithms and training data. Ungless et al. (2023) demonstrate that technological systems frequently employ stereotyped and distorted visual templates when representing non-binary genders. This indicates that visibility itself has been profoundly shaped by technological structures.

 

The Politics of Refusing to Be Seen

 

Within this context, refusing to be fully seen or clearly represented is not a passive stance but an intervention against visual power. Cultural expression is not merely about “making history appear”; it also involves questioning the very conditions of viewing.