Images have a way of addressing issues in a fashion that is inconceivable with mere words. When individuals are confronted with a visual stimulus, rather than a verbal one, it stirs up emotions and ideals that the artist of the portrait was aiming for. In regards to the issues of race, class and identity, visual imagery can become the key that begins to unlock the false ideologies that many people hold in American society today. However, while some photos get right to the point of the message they are trying to send out, other images call for the viewer to unravel the mystery behind the picture. Through the use of color, lighting, costume and performance, images can address the issues of race and identity in a unique way. The two images attached are an example of how issues of race can be addressed in this unique way. The two images attached are an example of how issues of race can be addressed in this unique style.
In image one, which is titles " Four Sacred Colors" the photograph immediately attacks the stereotypical words used to address each race through the use of color. The costume being worn by each person in the photo is the same color American society tends to label each race. Whcih in this case is white wearing white, black wearing black, Asian wearing yellow, and Native American wearing red. The artist of the photo also put the white woman in a wedding gown. There could be several reasons for doing this, but mostly it was done to show some sort of racial hierarchy. Whether it was done to show some sort of higher economic status or simply to make the picture focus around the "white race" the dress nevertheless serves a purpose. Also, it is interesting that the picture from left to right is girl, boy, girl, boy, with the girls holding their hands over their private area. Perhaps the woman's hand placement is an attempt to suggest some sort of purity or innocence amongst the girls. In any case, the picture addresses the issues of race and identity by giving the color of the costumes a racial meaning. But other pictures attack the issues of race in a different way.
Image two, titled "Self-Portrait Exaggerating My Black Features/ Self Portrait Exaggerating My White Features" is an image that calls for the viewer to engage in what he or she believes to be a black or white individual. In this image, the title to the picture lays down the foundation for what the image is trying to portray. One can immediately come to the conclusion that this most likely a bi-racial individual, who is attempting to show that he is half white but looks black. In American society, since the one-drop rule from centuries ago, an individual such as this young man is considered black. Even to this very day, sadly if you look the part, you're labeled as such. By having a picture of himself side by side, the image, along with title come into direct conflict with the myths of race held within society. Since there is no such thing as race, the artist is simply showing that black and white are simply words, not definitive categories of people. The fact that the picture is taken in black and white only aids to the message attempting to be sent out by the artist. Both image one and image two seek to tackle the issues of race but in two distinct styles. One used color as the tool that was needed, while the other hoped for color to be dissolved completely. Both images want the viewer to understand that we don't live in a color-blind society and as a result of this, images and photos can be used to address this seemingly non-existent issue.
In image one, which is titles " Four Sacred Colors" the photograph immediately attacks the stereotypical words used to address each race through the use of color. The costume being worn by each person in the photo is the same color American society tends to label each race. Whcih in this case is white wearing white, black wearing black, Asian wearing yellow, and Native American wearing red. The artist of the photo also put the white woman in a wedding gown. There could be several reasons for doing this, but mostly it was done to show some sort of racial hierarchy. Whether it was done to show some sort of higher economic status or simply to make the picture focus around the "white race" the dress nevertheless serves a purpose. Also, it is interesting that the picture from left to right is girl, boy, girl, boy, with the girls holding their hands over their private area. Perhaps the woman's hand placement is an attempt to suggest some sort of purity or innocence amongst the girls. In any case, the picture addresses the issues of race and identity by giving the color of the costumes a racial meaning. But other pictures attack the issues of race in a different way.
Image two, titled "Self-Portrait Exaggerating My Black Features/ Self Portrait Exaggerating My White Features" is an image that calls for the viewer to engage in what he or she believes to be a black or white individual. In this image, the title to the picture lays down the foundation for what the image is trying to portray. One can immediately come to the conclusion that this most likely a bi-racial individual, who is attempting to show that he is half white but looks black. In American society, since the one-drop rule from centuries ago, an individual such as this young man is considered black. Even to this very day, sadly if you look the part, you're labeled as such. By having a picture of himself side by side, the image, along with title come into direct conflict with the myths of race held within society. Since there is no such thing as race, the artist is simply showing that black and white are simply words, not definitive categories of people. The fact that the picture is taken in black and white only aids to the message attempting to be sent out by the artist. Both image one and image two seek to tackle the issues of race but in two distinct styles. One used color as the tool that was needed, while the other hoped for color to be dissolved completely. Both images want the viewer to understand that we don't live in a color-blind society and as a result of this, images and photos can be used to address this seemingly non-existent issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment