Spatial Images in Collective and Autobiographical Memory and Their Therapeutic Use
Abstract
This article examines the role of space in collective and autobiographical memory through a close engagement with Maurice Halbwachs’s work. After presenting the theory of memory as reconstruction in dialogue with Walter Benjamin and discussing the relationship between individual and collective memory through Paul Ricoeur’s interpretation, the article analyzes space as one of the central frameworks of memory. This role derives both from the analogy between orientation in space and orientation in memory, explored by Mary Carruthers in her study of medieval ars memorativa, and from the concrete function of space in the everyday practices of groups, as reflected in their collective memories and revealing a narrative organization of space (de Certeau). Through the experience of physical or represented space, individuals can adopt a group’s perspective and reconstruct its collective memory. The final section discusses two videotherapy practices that make use of spatial images, highlighting their therapeutic potential.
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References
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Bandi, F., Vegetti, M. (eds.). (2024). Corpo, spazio, architettura. Fenomenologia dell’esperienza spaziale. Brescia: Morcelliana.
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Kant, I. (2000). Critique of the power of judgment. Trans. by P. Guyer, E. Matthews. Cambridge-New York: Cambridge University Press.
Leone, G. (2001). La memoria autobiografica. Conoscenza di sé e appartenenze sociali. Roma: Carocci.
Malafouris, L. (2013). How things shape the mind: a theory of material engagement. Cambridge MA-London: The MIT Press.
Mâle, É. (2024). L’arte religiosa della fine del Medioevo in Francia. Trans. by F. Restuccia. Roma: Studium.
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Ricoeur, P. (2004). Memory, History, Forgetting. Trans. by K. Blamey, D. Pellauer. Chicago-London: The University of Chicago Press.
Sabatino, A.C., Saladino, V. (2024). Cinematic Psychotherapy. Audiovisual Languages, Therapeutic Strategies, and Autism Narratives. London-New York: Routledge.
Schwartz, B. (2016). Rethinking the Concept of Collective Memory. In Tota, A.L., Hagen, T. (eds.), Routledge International Handbook of Memory Studies, London: Routledge, 9–21.
Ströker, E. (1987). Investigation in Philosophy of Space. Trans. by A. Mickunas. Athens: Ohio University Press.
Tomasello, M. (2022). The Evolution of Agency: Behavioral Organization From Lizards to Humans. Cambridge MA: The MIT Press.
Truc, G. (2012). Memory of places and places of memory: for a Halbwachsian socio-ethnography of collective memory. International social science journal, 62 (1/2): 147–159.
Yates, F. A. (1966). The art of memory. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Bandi, F., Vegetti, M. (eds.). (2024). Corpo, spazio, architettura. Fenomenologia dell’esperienza spaziale. Brescia: Morcelliana.
Bastide, R. (1970). Mémoire collective et sociologie du bricolage. L’Année sociologique, 3: 65–108.
Benjamin, W. (1978). Briefe. Suhrkamp: Frankfurt am Main.
Benjamin, W. (1999). The Arcades Project. Trans. by H. Eiland and K. McLaughlin. Cambridge MA-London: Belknap Press.
Benjamin, W. (2003). On the Concept of History. Trans. by H. Eiland and M.W. Jennings. In Selected Writings, Cambridge MA-London: Belknap Press, 389–400.
Benjamin, W. (2019). Origin of the German Trauerspiel. Trans. by Howard Eiland. Harvard University Press: Cambridge MA-London.
Bergson, H. (1988). Matter and memory. Trans. by N. M. Paul & W. S. Palmer. New York: Zone Books.
Blondel, C. (1926). Revue critique: Maurice Halbwachs, Les cadres sociaux de la mémoire. Revue philosophique de la France et de l’étranger, 101: 290–298.
Brian, É. (2021). A Theorist of Collective Memory. In Leroux, R., Marcel, J.-C., The Anthem Companion to Maurice Halbwachs. London-New York: Anthem Press, 5–16.
Carruthers, M. (1998). The Craft of Thought. Meditation, rhetoric, and the making of images, 400-1200. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Carruthers, M. (2008). The Book of Memory. A Study of Memory in Medieval Culture. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Chalier, C. (2023). Trasmettere una memoria? In Kajon, I., Trotta, F.G. (eds.), Costruzione e distruzione di memorie. Riflessioni storiche e filosofiche. Roma: Lithos, 15–26.
Charon, R. (2006). Narrative Medicine: Honoring the Stories of Illness. Oxford-New York: Oxford University Press.
Chatwin, B. (2012). The Songlines. New York: Penguin.
Cohen, J.L., Johnson, J.L. (eds.) (2015). Video and Filmmaking as Psychotherapy. Research and Practice. New York-London: Routledge.
Covelli, V., Feyles, M. (2026). Audiovisual Identity Card for Patients with Dementia: Methodology and Preliminary Remarks. Medicina nei Secoli: Journal of History of Medicine and Medical Humanities, 38(1), forthcoming.
de Certeau, M. (1984). The Practice of Everyday Life. Trans. by S. Rendall. Berkeley-Los Angeles-London: University of California Press.
Deligny, F. (2021). Camérer. À propos d’images. Ed. by S. Alvarez de Toledo, A. Masson, M. Miguel, M. Vidal-Naquet. Paris: L'arachneen.
Dewey, J. (1958). Experience and Nature. New York: Dover.
Feyles, M. (2013). Ipomnesi. La memoria e l’archivio, Soveria Mannelli, Rubettino.
Feyles, M. (2017). Immagini di sé. Un caso esemplare, il Memofilm. In Capezzuto, S., Ciccone, D., Mileto, A. (eds.), Dentro/Fuori. Il lavoro dell’immaginazione e le forme del montaggio. Il lavoro culturale.
Garroni, E. (2005). Immagine, linguaggio, figura. Roma-Bari: Laterza.
Grande, T., Migliorati, L. (2024). Introduzione. In Halbwachs, M., I quadri sociali della memoria. Milano: Meltemi, 7–15.
Grosso, L. (ed.). (2013). Memofilm. La creatività contro l’Alzheimer. Milano-Udine: Mimesis.
Halbwachs, M. (1907). Leibniz. Paris: Mellottée.
Halbwachs, M. (1941). La topographie légendaire des évangiles en terre sainte. Étude de mémoire collective. Paris: Presses Universitaires de France.
Halbwachs, M. (1980). The Collective Memory. Trans. by F. J. Ditter, Jr., V. Y. Ditter. New York: Harper & Row.
Halbwachs, M. (1992). On Collective Memory. Trans. by L.A. Coser. Chicago-London: The University of Chicago Press.
Halbwachs, M., (1976). Les cadres sociaux de la mémoire. Paris-La Haye: Mouton.
Heux, L., Rathbone, C., Gensburger, S., Clifford, R., Souchay, C. (2023). Collective memory and autobiographical memory: Perspectives from the humanities and cognitive sciences. WIREs Cognitive Science, 14: e1635.
James, W. (1890). The Principles of Psychology. New York: Henry Holt and Co.
Jedlowski, P. (2023). La mémoire collective existe-t elle ? In Gensburger, S., Lefranc, S. (eds.), La mémoire collective en question(s). Paris: Presses Universitaires de France, 29–36.
Jedlowsky, P. (2001). Introduzione alla prima edizione. In Halbwachs, M., La memoria collettiva. Trans. by P. Jedlowsy, T. Grande. Milano: UNICOPLI, 7–34.
Kant, I. (2000). Critique of the power of judgment. Trans. by P. Guyer, E. Matthews. Cambridge-New York: Cambridge University Press.
Leone, G. (2001). La memoria autobiografica. Conoscenza di sé e appartenenze sociali. Roma: Carocci.
Malafouris, L. (2013). How things shape the mind: a theory of material engagement. Cambridge MA-London: The MIT Press.
Mâle, É. (2024). L’arte religiosa della fine del Medioevo in Francia. Trans. by F. Restuccia. Roma: Studium.
Montani, P. (2025). Vita interactiva. Da homo sapiens all’universo digitale. Torino: Einaudi.
Morawski, T. (2024). Mappe della ragione. Kant e la medialità dell’immaginazione cartografica. Macerata: Quodlibet.
Nora, P. (ed.). (1996). Realms of Memory: Rethinking the French past. Trans. by A. Goldhammer. New York-Chichester: Columbia University Press.
Proietti, G. (2026). How do Memory and Space Meet? Perspectives from Ancient History. In Proietti, G., McInerney, J. (eds.), Memory, Space and Mindscapes in Ancient Greece. Leiden: Brill, 9–35.
Ricoeur, P. (2004). Memory, History, Forgetting. Trans. by K. Blamey, D. Pellauer. Chicago-London: The University of Chicago Press.
Sabatino, A.C., Saladino, V. (2024). Cinematic Psychotherapy. Audiovisual Languages, Therapeutic Strategies, and Autism Narratives. London-New York: Routledge.
Schwartz, B. (2016). Rethinking the Concept of Collective Memory. In Tota, A.L., Hagen, T. (eds.), Routledge International Handbook of Memory Studies, London: Routledge, 9–21.
Ströker, E. (1987). Investigation in Philosophy of Space. Trans. by A. Mickunas. Athens: Ohio University Press.
Tomasello, M. (2022). The Evolution of Agency: Behavioral Organization From Lizards to Humans. Cambridge MA: The MIT Press.
Truc, G. (2012). Memory of places and places of memory: for a Halbwachsian socio-ethnography of collective memory. International social science journal, 62 (1/2): 147–159.
Yates, F. A. (1966). The art of memory. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Published
2026-05-01
How to Cite
Restuccia, F. (2026). Spatial Images in Collective and Autobiographical Memory and Their Therapeutic Use. Critical Hermeneutics, 10(special), 145-169. https://doi.org/10.13125/CH/6966
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Articles
Copyright (c) 2026 Francesco Restuccia
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