A 20,000 year non-linear history of the image

12.10.16

This lecture explored the power of imagery over time. It compared the link between the work of  aborigines and the work of conceptual artists. 

The most interesting point that I feel was discussed in the lecture was an interesting comparison that was made discussing the similarities between going to art galleries and going to a church. Churches are full of architecture and imagery in the same way that an art gallery is. It was discussed as to whether this could explain the similarities in behaviour of people that is seen in these two environments. For example, Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa that is displayed in the Louvre could be compared to a religious  experience. Everyone queues to view the painting and worships it surrounded by others in a similar way to a church service. The Mona Lisa is a great example of the powerful impact that an image can have on people. However it does pose the question as to wether we behave in this way because we choose to or because we believe we should? Is it the institutions that create the power of visual communication rather than the actual imagery itself? It questions whether the painting actually has much importance or meaning or whether it has developed importance because it has been put in a posh gallery, behind bullet proof glass with a queue of people to see it.

Another type of imagery that was discussed in the lecture was the use of photography and how it impacts the power that imagery has. Photography has the power of being able to preserve life after death as they last for eternity. The power of imagery is about making things last forever. Being able to preserve memories of events, moments and people after death is one of the powerful impact that an image can have. 

The last point that was discussed which had an impact was the discussion of the Guerrilla Girls. The Guerrilla Girls demonstrate that visual communication can be about empowerment. They  questions the sexist reality that women have to be nude to get into the Met Museum. As you can see from their work in figure 1, it explains that less than 45 of the artists in the Met modern at sections are women but 76% of the nudes are of women. The imagery that they create has a huge political impact which is a powerful use of visual communication. 

Figure 1