Visual cultural studies based on reduction of manipulative components for subconscious: An A/R/Tography research practice

The subconscious can be influenced by any external stimulus. The most effective stimuli occur through visuals that are very intense around us. This influence impacts human behaviors and thought contents. In this study, it is aimed to question the subconscious effects of visuals, the relational contexts of visuals, and to examine the mitigability of subconscious effects through inquiries. Practice and Art-Based Educational Research Methodology A/R/Tography aims to find in-depth meanings through living inquiry has been utilized as the primary methodology in this study. The inquiries have been constructed with rhizomatic analysis which interprets the holistic, multidimensional, continuous variable structure of reality. Video recording, unstructured observation, unstructured interview, document analysis (researcher diaries, literature, data transcripts, screenshots) have been used as data collection methods in order to obtain in-depth information about the purpose of the research. The findings of the research have been interpreted and given meaning by living inquiry about the visual stimuli affecting the subconscious, the subconscious effects of the stimuli and the orientation of the stimuli. Artist/Researcher/Teacher roles with A/R/Tographer identity qualifications are thought to be revealed in the study. The findings of the study are presented in the framework of the "Affection", "Orientation", "Manipulation", "Recognition, and "Mirroring" related to subconscious effects. The results show that subconscious effects can be determined through inquiries and their effects can be eliminated.