The Image Of Culture : What Type Of Effect Images Have Had And Have On Society?

Throughout the course of history, the arts have been influenced by culture in one way or another. I believe the inverse is also true, in that culture is influenced by art itself. One could conclude that art and culture are so intertwined that one would not exist without the other. Great culture produces great art, and great art inspires great culture. What someone portrays as an artistic expression based on the culture of a civilization may in turn influence or educate others on the culture of that civilization. This cycle may further influence others to do the same, propagating the culture to an ever-increasing number of people. I think one of the greatest impacts of the cultural influence on art has been the impact of technological advances in our society, which has brought about several recent examples of how the arts are reflected or influenced by culture. These examples include modern first-person shooter video games, social media, and television in all its modern forms. All are great examples that fall into this category and reflect our current culture.

People tend to views an image based on how society say it should be they tend to interpret the image on those assumption, but never their own assumptions. Susan Bordo and John Berger writes’ an argumentative essay in relation to how viewing images have an effect on the way we interpret images. Moreover, these arguments come into union to show what society plants into our minds acts itself out when viewing pictures. Both Susan Bordo and John Berger shows that based on assumptions this is what causes us to perceive an image in a certain way. Learning assumption plays into our everyday lives and both authors bring them into reality.

The relationship between language and image provides us with the means to seek the roots of our own ideas. In the essay, "When We Dead Awaken: Writing as Re-Vision", written by Adrienne Rich, she uses varying images in her poetry to describe women and the voice open the window into her self-perception and how cultural ideologies change. John Berger writes in, "Ways of Seeing" that the relationship between the image and the person is an individual interpretation. "Hunger as Ideology," by Susan Bordo, tells how the image is used to show cultural ideologies, especially for women. In art, literature, and in the media, images that are perceived visually or through the images

Images are prominent everywhere in our world today, and are interpreted by each person who views them in a differing way. The reason individuals may view an image in a different way has to do with the context that it is viewed in. The context does not necessarily change the signs that an image displays, but instead leads to different signifiers and conclusions that can be drawn from those same signs. The drastic change that a different caption on the same photo can make in one’s comprehension and conclusions of an image and the meaning of it, presents how vital it is that an image is viewed in the context the author intended to achieve.

“Images are proof that photography matters—now more than ever” (Draper, National Geographic). I have committed myself to a Visual History project since my grandma passed away. Capturing dramatic moments that will influence the minds of viewers is a mission I am dedicated to. I spent weekends documenting ruins of urbanization- abandoned facilities, houses, and locations; I collaborated with a non-profit organization to capture penury; I traveled to record the profligate 1%. Such a photo project is definitely not easy to work on, both emotionally and technically. If what propels me is ferocious determination to tell history through transcendent images, what encumbers my quest is an enumeration of obstructions: away from home for weeks at a time, missing birthdays and holidays, my team and I found ourselves serving as unwelcome visitors to both rural areas suffering abject poverty and fancy restaurants in metropolis. Regardless, the reward of being an activist is obvious – every time I click the shutter button I create a photo that has impact on society. By viewing an epitome of reality, the public can no longer avoid caring. My work over time reflects differentiated passions: exploration and destruction, bottom labor and the 1%, the urbane and the bucolic. By wresting a precious particle of the world from time and space and holding it absolutely still, these photos transport us to the unseen, such

Sebald has made it seem as though image and text consisted of a tight bond that would otherwise fail if separated. For example, particular photographs within “The Rings of Saturn” are barely legible, creating a sense that something is missing and the reader’s job is to find it. His purpose here gives the impression that one is to diminish their confidence in visual representation. Sebald wants his readers to question image without textual depictions in order for them to understand that one cannot exist without the other, but also to explore various forms this relationship can express. When studying art or photography, an image itself holds the possibility that an individual can analyze it without textual support. From a writer’s standpoint, it would seem common sense to utilize images that will not overwhelm the narrative, in order to not draw to much attention to the image rather than the text. This gives the reader the impression

Images have this is tendency to pull people. Pulling them away from boredom and saving you from that lost awkward silence. Although, have you ever wondered what type of images you’re looking at? What their standing point is on the subject? I have an image that involves politics and I’m going to explain its standing point and what persuasive strategy they used.

When we snap a picture, the goal is to either share what we are experiencing or to preserve a memory. Many take pictures of beautiful scenarios or moments without actually enjoying them due to being so focused on taking the perfect picture. Others take pictures in order to cope with low self-esteem. No matter what the motive is behind a picture , good or bad, they all have one thing in common-- they tell a story. Susan Sontag argues that taking pictures is used in a way to defend against anxiety and also to gain power. I agree with Sontag’s claim and believe that pictures are also used in a way to manipulate society and also to inform the people of what is happening across the world. Sontag’s argument is agreeable because, images broadcasted throughout social media and television control the way the people act and think.

Most media scholars assert that contemporary culture is dominated by images. Furthermore, it is widely understood that images articulate ways of seeing the world. Given that the average American is confronted with up to 5,000 advertisements a day, it is difficult to refute the legitimacy and impact of these claims. Advertising, film, print media, and the digital world all rely on the visual to transmit potent messages to the public. These images are rarely just aesthetic displays. Each visual put before us is replete with meaning- cues that tell us what to think, how to feel, and how to act. Enveloped within images are social, political, and cultural ideologies. Images, in short, are dominant vessels of persuasive communication and influence, dictating social norms, communicating rhetoric, and acting as representations of values implicit in culture. In this colloquium and rationale, I aim to explore the power of the image within the realm of media and the ways in which this power is created, exercised, and then negotiated by the viewer.

This literature review will explore how and to what extent postmodernism has changed the representation of women in images. Postmodernism was a time period after modernism, being at the centre of culture. What is to be regarded as postmodern, those things that are seen to occur as ‘natural’ are in fact shaped by humans, thus making it cultural. Postmodernism was brought as a result from the 1960’s onwards, being a reaction against anti realism modernism. Feminist artists and theorists have combined postmodernism with their own work in order to bring forth the ideas surrounding that of, how cultural forms or representation within the mass media are based around particular ideologies. When referring to representation, when linking this with the works of the theories brought about by postmodernism, how we see ourselves and how we construct the notions of ourselves are through the structure of available images. Feminist theory points to how the construction of gender is an effect of representation. The representation of women in images during the postmodern era, could merit further investigation in order to inform of how women from all over the world have been represented, whether it be regarding their race, nationality, age or sexuality. Using a variety of texts, the main debates regarding this topic will be explored through critiquing selected theorists in order to develop upon my own research. The following academic writings will be referenced: Weedon (1987), Williamson

Modernism has found new expressions in art which in turn have changed how people critic and understand art, in this essay I am going to focus more on abstract expressionism. Debates in this movement have gone as far as influencing many artists and the two well-known critics who have made this movement more remarkable and have changed the art world completely are Clement Greenberg and Ronald Rosenberg. On the writings of these two gentlemen about art I will try to draw out the differences in the idea of what abstract expressionism is and what it is supposed to be, compare and outline the similarities and the differences between the two critics.

It was in 1917 that Shklovsky, at an astonishing young age, published his essay “Art as Technique”, or “Art as Device”, in which he highlights the concepts of defamiliarization and device, and “argues against the centrality of “images”” (Davis 51). Moreover, in Shklovsky’s essay “Art as Technique” he addresses the general laws of perception, and states that; “We see that as perception becomes habitual, it becomes automatic” (Davis 55). By giving examples, Shklovsky tries to explain his criticism and ideas, additionally he claims that: “The purpose of art is to impart the sensation of things as they are perceived and not as they are known” (Davis 55). What did the Russian critic Viktor Shklovsky mean with ostranenie, the Russian word usually translated as defamiliarization, however literally translated as “making strange”. This essay explores Shklovsky’s concept of defamiliarization, furthermore it explores different

Today people live in an increasingly visual world, where we are engaged not only by texts but also by images. We are influenced by internet, magazines, advertisement, games, picture books, film, anime, comic books and so many more. Those media are using images to communicate, entertain and gain profit. It has shown an increasing usage proportion of visual or graphic representation and less text. We are now living in images dominated world. Berger (1972: 10) explained they are important because images or visuals can actually attach to somebody’s consciousness stronger and longer.

The explanation of image has evolved over the years and taken on different meanings depending on the perspective of literature scholars have taken. Gotsi and Wilson

According to Said, Orientalism is the imitation or depiction of Eastern cultures in the West. Western civilization has the view that western culture is superior to all. Edward Said explains how the West views the Orient and oriental cultures and literature as irrational, depraved, and often they are misrepresented. These false representations of the East have been a result of one’s point of view – the West’s. Arab women in particular have been subjected to these stereotypes, as they are perceived to be the weaker force. Often in literature authors, particularly western men, are criticized for inaccurately portraying or "writing" women. The portrayals of Arab women are often characterized as weak, dependent, and submissive. This perception is derive from western culture. However, writers like Inaam Kachachi, Alifa Rifaat, and Nawal El Saadawi display Arab women in their writings like no Arab men can truly describe women’s inner desire. These writers give a new positive identity and representation of Arab women, while an author like Alaa Al Aswany portrays women as they are viewed in society – negatively.