20,000 year non-linear history if image.

In this lecture we explored the power of image throughout time such as with the cave painting in the Lascaux caves in France which are the earliest reported uses of visual imagery to try to communicate but not just to record everyday activities but its believed to try and communicate with a higher power. Therefore signifying the power of visual image as people in the modern world are trying to decipher what the drawings actually mean and who they where trying to communicate with. The power of visual image can also be seen in the case of artist Mark Rothko as it can be said that his work is emotive and powerful as it’s supposed to create a feeling of looking into the darkness or unknown as there is no reflection on the paintings which almost creates an illusion of light being sucked into the paintings allowing the audience to have an emotional connection and experience with his work. This can be countered however by the belief that visual imagery is not genuinely powerful on its own but that institutions add importance and power to certain visual image by collecting pieces and adding importance to them to create an air of importance around their institution in order to ultimately make more money as seen in the case of the Mona Lisa.

Power of visual image can also be seen within politics such as in the case of he CIA’s use of Jackson Pollocks work as a cultural symbol for freedom against Stalin who banned abstract expressionism during the Cold War as he believed it was the product of sick decedent western culture. The power of visual image can also be seen in Shepard Fairies Obama campaign posters which aided in his election. However fairly changed the poster after Obama was elected in protest as he released he had been used for Obamas political gain. This highlights the power of visual image as it can be used as a symbol for protest and rebellion in order to change politics and peoples minds as shown Nick Ut iconic photo of a little girl after an attack during the Vietnam war which dwindled support within the US and strongly contributed to the US withdrawing from the war. 

Consequently I believe visual imagery can be powerful on its own but I also believe that institutions attach meaning and importance to certain pieces of visual imagery in order to create an air of importance about their institution and potentially to make more money.