Poster

Edward Said - Dr Clare Johnson

In what ways have images or objects been used to exaggerate differences between 'us' and 'them', 'native' and 'foreign'?

Images and objects in modern and historical art and have been used as a device to divide groups. These groups can span many areas (class, race gender) but ultimately split down into two categories; the 'in' group and the 'out' group. Whichever group the artist identifies with is the in group, and is often portrayed in a much kinder manner, exaggerating the 'in' group's good traits and exaggerating the 'out' group's bad traits. This creates a hierarchy. The hierarchy is likely already in place within contemporary society and likely unspoken, but by the image/objects imitating this pre-existing hierarchy, it continues to reinforce it.

Jean Baudrillard

Select an image from the mass media and discuss (in between 200-400 words) its relationship to the hyperreal.

The image I have chosen is a Time Magazine cover from Spring 2015. The cover is of Kanye West. Aside from the image of West there is only text. At the top of the page is the heading The 100 Most Influential People. This instantly creates a lens of belief for the reader, as they are informed not persuaded, and no alternative ideologies are discussed. 

The single image of West creates a distinct disassociation with nature. There is no image setting/background that can be linked back to nature; only a plain grey backdrop that disallows any distractions, once more blindsiding the reader from any outside influence. The inconspicuous background is also arguably being used to conceal the making of things. It may suggest that reality is a ready-made platform for pride and conceit, what the magazine is primarily discussing, oppose to a man-made one.

The magazine’s relationship with the hyperreal is what one may expect from a mass media publication. It creates a reality that sells to their audience, regardless of its likeness to real life. 

Meditated Culture