5 Examples
Image #1
http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070829/480/f2316339dff0440f9d304292d363dda8
This picture represents American views today of superiority in economy. The American Airlines plane in the picture thus becomes a patriotic symbol of this. With the other plane merely in the background, we see that the American Airlines plane possesses importance in the photo over this other aircraft. The American Airlines plane is also at such a position in the picture to make it appear much larger, and the name is visible from the camera’s view, whereas the other plane’s logo is unreadable. This conveys the dominance of the American Airlines over other anonymous companies. The overall message the picture displays is simply that American Airlines is better than any other airline.
Image #2
In this picture we have 3 animated young women, dressed very classy and outside of a castle. We can thus infer they are of royal descent, and with further background knowledge, we confirm that these are indeed princesses from selected Disney movies. The image comes across as an indicator of what female figures are supposed to embody. The womens’ hands are placed gently on their chins, suggesting not only a classy gesture, but one of modesty. Each girl is seen as beautiful, and the warm smiles give reason to believe that they are very happy with their positions in life. Perhaps even more interesting than what is in the picture is what is missing. As one would know from historical background, these young women all meet young men in the journeys of their respective movies. But here they are shown as happy without the presence of men. It is as if to suggest that these women are happily independent. And so we venture into our own American culture where the films containing these characters derived. Through the princesses in this image, the Disney Company portrays the cultural view that women should be sophisticated, fashionable, happy, independent, and modest.
Image #3
This picture is an advertisement for MAX Factor Makeup found in the September 2007 issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine. Together with the words in this ad, the picture seems to say that a woman can display her personality through the color of her makeup. The models in the photo capture the modern view of beauty—thin and tan with soft facial features. As women in a society that consumes this type of information, we are supposed to think that this is the ideal way we should look. And on top of that, if we do not want to come across with flat personalities, then makeup is an essential. Especially since the characteristics of a woman’s personality must be manifested in her appearance. (Note: sarcasm)
Image #4
This is a scene from an upcoming movie titled Grace is Gone. This picture shows the father walking with his two daughters clinging to him. He appears to be in a state of distress, rushing to do something. With background information, we find that in this movie he avoids telling his daughters that their mother has died fighting in
Image #5
http://www.funnyhub.com/videos/pages/use-condoms.html
The link above is directed to a television commercial. In this image, modern views of sex and the process of having children are represented. After the child outbursts and thoroughly embarrasses his father in the supermarket, the advertisement to “use condoms” appears. This is to say that children are our choice. In today’s world, many protections are offered to prevent an adult from bearing children. Whereas in many cases children are often portrayed as blessings, this commercial touches on the negative sides of parenthood in a humorous way. The child’s behavior, and consequentially the father’s embarrassment, become products of the choice of the father in not using a condom. This advertisement encourages one to realize every aspect of having a child before actually doing so, and until then, to use this brand of condoms.
Semiotic Analysis
Image #1
Image=two airplanes, one in foreground Sign=
Meaning=American Airlines commercial Superiority in commerce (especially in
plane is bigger and better, and dominates capitalistic
the other plane. It is also more attention-
worthy since we can read the logo.
Image #4
Image=father with children Sign=
Meaning=The children cling to him The father-child figure with the father as
and he holds them in his arms and a successful caretaker.
hand showing the reciprocated love
to them.
High and Low Art at Rollins
Image #6 “High Art”
http://tampabayonline.net/reports/black/cornell.htm
This image is found in the Cornell Fine Arts Museum at
Image #7 “Low Art”
http://www.rollins.edu/RTown/Spring2005/march21.html
This image is found on advertisements that are put around campus for the Rollins College Summer Day Camp. This image classifies as low art because of its value. The only value it really provides is one of advertising and representing the Day Camp. It is not revered as a valuable piece of art, but merely as a logo to serve as art in the advertisement display.
Part Two
In American society, mass media can have different effects on the people. In some ways the mass media can serve an oppressive role, insofar that people are made to form opinions on issues simply because the only information they receive is from biased sides of the media. But for the most part, in
2 comments:
Your analysis of the American Airlines plane picture is very interesting. I agree that from the picture one might infer a sense of the superiority of that particular airline and that it is a great example of how a regular image—taken strictly by itself—can affect a person’s opinion. You described the mimesis in this picture very well; it is simply two planes with the logo of the plane in the foreground visible while the other’s planes markings are obscured. Furthermore, I think you drew the appropriate, expected conclusion of this image’s promotion of American Airlines. However, what really interested me in terms of your analysis was how well it reflects that assumptions drawn from images alone may be very different from the conclusion one might reach if context were provided.
My immediate thought upon seeing this image was that it was used in a news story discussing crowded airports and airline delays. (I clicked the link you provided, but could not find any background except for the fact that the American Airlines plane was parked at a gate at JFK airport, so admittedly I do not know the full context.) Following my line of thought, this image takes on a very different connotation. American Airlines would hardly seem superior—its plane is still parked at the gate while the plane of the other airline, despite its anonymity, has managed to take off. One could even go a step further to think about the possibility that the American Airlines plane was exactly on time to the gate and the other plane exactly on time with its takeoff; this would mean the image makes both airlines look good. Your discussion of this image and how it serves as a representation is excellent. It made me realize how much context and/or each individual’s line of thought can influence how people can examine the exact same straightforward image (in terms of mimesis) and come to very different conclusions about the image’s role as a representation.
I like your analysis of the princesses and think it's refreshing that you see them as independent even in their virtuous state. It might be my knowledge of their dependence on men for happiness it their respective movies or my own cynicism,I can't be as optimistic as you about this image.
I focus on the castle in the background which shows that even when they are alone the comfort and luxury that the have still isn't completely made by them. It also reminds the viewer that these beautiful, docile, innocent ladies get everything they want. This sends a distorted message to young girls about who they need to be in order for their dreams to come true.
I truly do hope that soon the females young ladies look up to and emulate really will be as independent and self sufficient as you see these princesses to be.
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