Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Jenn post 1































1. American Eagle Outfitters Ad

http://www.koaa.com/resource/image.asp?adv_no=877&type=adv_main

This image is of a young man jumping from the railing of a staircase wearing American Eagle Outfitters apparel and also includes the slogan “Live your Life.” This represents the carefree attitude of young men and women in this country. As the young man disregards the conventional way of walking down stairs, the ad seems to encourage a rebellion or revolution against restrictions placed on the individual and instead inspires within young minds the idea of living without regard for consequences whether good or bad. This image attempts to tell the truth that young individuals are free spirits by showing their aversion to rules and conventions on a smaller scale.

2. Statue of Liberty

http://www.willisms.com/archives/liberty-thumb.jpg

This image is of the statue of liberty in New York City. This represents the relationship between the United States and France as a symbol of friendship and thanks. It has also come to represent what America has to offer to non-Americans seeking a safe haven with freedom and rights in the United States. This image attempts to tell a truth that the United States stands for freedom and new possibilities. Therefore, this image of the statue of liberty is the signifier, while the signified is the sense of freedom and the chance for more opportunities. The ideology is thus liberty and democracy as it is represented in this statue.

3. Victoria’s Secret Ad

http://www.artsales.com/ARTistory/angelic_journey/angel_images/Victoria's%20Secret.jpg

This image is of a Victoria’s Secret model posing as an angel for their Angel line of lingerie. This is an ironic representation of the innocence of a woman wearing very little clothing but also fashioning a pair of wings while resting upon a white cloud. It represents the double side that women are supposed to have as innocent young women and also as sex icons. It also contradicts the idea of an angel as a very modest symbol of religion. This image tries to convey the truth that women ought to live the double life mentioned above by providing such a contrast in wardrobe for the model.

4. Budweiser Ad
http://www.molechocolate.com/wp-content/uploads/budweiser.jpg

This image is of three young women wearing very little clothing and displaying the Budweiser slogan across their mid-sections. This represents what most beer corporations have all displayed in their ads at one point as to the stereotypical American man’s dream of attractive women, drinking, and relaxing. It also depicts women once again as sex symbols. The truth that it tries to convey is that most men will be attracted to this ad because they enjoy drinking with good-looking young girls and lounging by the pool by placing all of the images into one cohesive ad.

5. Jeep Liberty
http://www.ajeepthing.com/images/liberty-trail.jpg

This is an image of a Jeep Liberty off-roading in a wooded area. This image represents the toughness and ruggedness of the Jeep model and invokes a sense of adventure to attract consumers looking for a durable yet fun vehicle. It implies that those who are looking for adventure and excitement should buy this car. The truth it implies is that the Jeep can handle any obstacle in its path by framing the car as it drives over a pile of rocks in the woods. The image of the jeep is the signifier while the sense of adventure and durability is the signified. The ideology is therefore the experience of carefree excitement despite being confined to a car.

Low versus high art:

In the Cornell Fine Arts Museum on campus, there is a painting titled Anna Pavlova as a Bacchante from 1910 by Sir John Lavery. This image is of a goddess-like woman in a white gown throwing red rose pedals around her as she dances gracefully. The fact alone that she seems so goddess-like merits the high value. The fact that it is in a college art museum also grants it the title of high art. In addition, this image represents an icon of traditional femininity and romance.

In contrast to this high art, a non-smoking sign is an example of low art as it is not displayed in a museum or similar institution and is not very unique. No smoking signs are found in numerous locations ranging from bathrooms to airplanes to restaurants.

PART II

The mass media has a not only oppressive but also a manipulative function in our society. The corporations that provide the information have the ability to frame, sensationalize, and choose which information to provide or withhold. For example, television news corporations like Fox News have the capability of choosing which stories to air and often use the most extreme ways to convey information to attract an audience, which is their main motive. In this way, these news corporations’ motives are to attract the most viewers in order to make the largest profit. Despite the ability for anyone to post news over the internet and have their fame, individuals in the United States are far more likely to watch the seemingly trustworthy news station where everything is audible and ready to watch, as opposed to a website that anyone could make.

Another example of the oppression of the media can be found in magazines or television shows and commercials in which young men and women are shown to have the perfect body, style, and life in general. This dictates a norm in society that all young men and women should look, act, and feel perfect. The media also oftentimes depicts men and women in stereotypical and/ or degrading ways by portraying them in extremely sexual or scandalous ads and commercials solely to attract an audience. The media in this way is not representing the United States as a whole by setting such a standard.

1 comment:

Fatema said...

I liked all the images that you chose to use! One thing that I noticed was the way in which you connected your interpretations of the Budweiser and Jeep Liberty ads to the fact that they were created and used for the purpose of trying to sell the product. This approach could also be utilized in the other advertisements that you chose (for American Eagle and Victoria's Secret). Since a lot of the meaning of an image resides in the way in which it is shown to others, the AE ad may connote the idea that there is a connection between their clothing and the ability to be rebellious (and "cool"; part of the "in" crowd"). The Victoria's Secret ad in turn conveys the idea that women who do buy the brand name are able to play both the roles you talked about that are assigned to them as females- naughty and nice. Your explanations of the images connotative meanings were good!

I also really liked the image of the Statue of Liberty which you chose. As a picture it holds great truth value, but as our reading said, the way in which it is framed also has great impact. When I first saw the image, it seemed to emphasize the idea of the great importance of liberty and everything else the statue itself stands for which you talked about through the angle in which the picture was taken. It seems as though the person is standing below Lady Liberty and looking up at her (literally and figuratively).

Your section on High vs. Low art was also very good and to the point. You seemed to latch right onto the fact that a lot of the value of an image depends on what other people think of it (what they would be willing to pay for it, and if they would actually stop to look at the image/crowd around it like they would an original piece by a famous artist).

As for part 2... I think you talked about it all. Good job!