 |
In honor of the passing of one of America's most important Civil Rights figures, Rosa Parks, Apple Computer is re-running one of its past "Think Different" ads that featured a historical archive photograph of her riding on a bus.
I couldn't help adding my own tribute to her, and to Apple Computer for honoring important figures like her, with an updated version, based on Apple's current iPod ads. Links: |
|
Note: The response to the image has been very interesting. While the overwhelming majority understood the positive message, and multiple ways in which my graphical mash-up of images and style language, there were also some thoughtful and legitimate questions raised regarding some ways in which it could be interpreted. Some suggested the image was overtly commercial, or contributed more to the cult of Apple, than to the memory of Rosa Parks. I think there are multiple ways that one can unpack all the symbolism in images like this. For me, Apple's symbolic/graphical/advertising language itself has become a sort of "language" in which one can "speak." Reference all the iPod commercial parodies and takeoffs. It's a form of visual shorthand. Making a statement visually, in support of Rosa Parks' courageous act using this graphical language, is analogous to language translation. In creating such an image, i've co-opted the advertising symbology to make a statement of my own. The original image used the real logo, and some pointed out the ambiguity created in doing that, so I've decided to rework the image further, changing the logo graphic. This is one of the good things about the internet age - that our works and statements are not set in concrete, but instead are part of an ongoing dialog. The criticism and discussions that resulted from the image were valuable in and of themselves. And so my change is part of that ongoing dialog. I'm fascinated by the phenomenon of sampling, mash-ups, and post-modern collaging and deconstruction, etc., and as an observer of the zeitgeist and aficionado of word/image play, I see it all as subject matter. - The juxtaposition between then and now (what's better, what's still the same and needs to be changed) - The idea that in one way, as consumers, everybody is equalized (symbolized as dark figures, sharing a single activity category) - The co-option of a corporate ad-language to make a statement of a different kind - Music, music devices, sampling/mash-ups, and the same for visual imagery in modern culture - Cultural blendo Art's not about necessarily saying a single thing, nor expressing a single value or point of view. My graphic work invokes a number of issues and things that one can ponder and think about. Sure, it can be collapsed into singular imposed narratives, but that's the viewer's or critic's perogative. Not necessarily my intent, the final word, nor all such an image represents. All of this is interesting to me. I greatly appreciate all points of view, and comments others have expressed. In the end, the most valuable thing is the dialog. JIMWICh - November 12, 2005 Historical and advertising images are reproduced here for editorial comment. |
 |