OUIL401- Studio Brief 1- Essay Related Images

Below are some images I have collected which relate to my essay question with some small notes I have made on the images.


Propaganda poster AGAINST the war. Colours and typography are very relevant of the time/ culture in which the poster is trying to target (student/art culture/ drug). Showing only faces and words, faces are united, possible metaphor for uniting people against the war. The words are dominant!


Iconic image from the war in vietnam, possibly the single reason for people turning against the war. Bleak, screaming, whereas the soldiers look somewhat calm.



Another extremely iconic and influential image. My Lai Massacre taken by U.S. combat photographer Ronald L. Haeberle on March 16, 1968. Would have had a particularly hard message to the somewhat family orientated American women of the time. The text is red (blood/violence) and the transcript of a soldier who partook in the massacre.


A PRO war poster, depiction of 3 influential characters, enforcing the idea of strength. Industry below to again enforce an idea of power, as well as almost rallying the people who work in those specific industries (a large proportion of Americans). Red, white Blue. 'Appreciate America' if you dont support the war, you aren't good enough to be in the country. Somewhat threatening? Smiles on all their faces.



Another pro war poster. american flag in flames, destruction of not only physical property but of the the american culture as a whole, which the flag is a symbol of. Threatening looking vietnamese people (maybe not specifically military) abusing black and white american citizens. IS THIS TOMORROW, threatening title. Grim reaper looking figure in bottom right to symbolise death.



Red Iceberg, price suggests it was placed on a mass produced product. Specifically names communist countries. Referencing Titanic, huge powerful industrious machine brought down by an iceberg. Ship does not seem to be military, which makes the viewer think America is more of a saviour than a threatening army.

OUIL401- Study Task 4- Triangulating & Harvard Referencing Page

1. There have been a number of authors to have considered the use of advertising in current society. Kalman (1998), Adbustersa (2000) and Garland (1964) have all discussed the use of Graphic designers and graphic design in their respective current societies, stating that design is now something that is dictated by higher 'committees' and companies, rather that designing for what they deem to be real purposes. For instance Kalman talks about how what we see as cultural ideas are usually dictated by a 'higher power', stating that "Corporations have become the sole arbiters of cultural ideas and taste in America. Our culture is corporate culture.Culture used to be the opposite of commerce, not a fast track to ‘content’- derived riches." Suggesting how culture has changed from something which was dictated by the mass of society, but has now shifted towards being controlled by large corporations who dictate to us what to buy, what to like, what to reject, purely for the benefit of making a profit.

2. In this image, the two 'consumer' type figures are looking towards the news stand, which no only draws the viewers eye towards it, but also suggests the they are somewhat intregued in what it has to say. The use of the road sign stating 'stop thinking' it a very definitive visual symbol, as this is something that always has to be followed.

3. Garland's manifesto (1964) talks extewnsively about the use of advertising and specifically graphic design in the current culture, discussing that graphic design has better uses that to simply work for advertising companies and that there are a lot more more worthwhile uses of their time. He discusse dthe fact that advertising has become so saturated with too many voices. 

4. Writing in his manifest 'First thing's First' (1969) Garland talks about the 'saturation opine' and the 'high pitched scream' of current advertising. He also enforces the idea that there are more important things that advertising could be used for by stating @We think that there are other things more worth using our skill and experience on. There are signs for streets and buildings, books and periodicals, catalogues, instructional manuals, industrial photography, educational aids, films, television features, scientific and industrial publications and all the other media through which we promote our trade, our education, our culture and our greater awareness of the owls" which brings a lot of other worthy causes to the readers attention.

This task really gave me an insight into what type of language I should be using within my essay. The techniques I have been given through this task will hopefully help me to produce a better, and more sensical essay.

Study Task 3- Planning an Essay

“Discuss the role that Illustration can play during periods of political and/or social upheaval."

Suggested Research Question
What role did illustration play for pro and against arguments during the Vietnam War between 1955 and 1979?

Which Academic sources will be Referenced

Books

• Pilger, John (1986, 2001) Heroes (Mainly Chapters 15 and 20)
• Picasso, P., Morris, L., Grunenberg, C. and Bernatowicz, P. (2010). Picasso. London: Tate Pub.
• Eckstrøm Lave, J. (n.d.). In Love & War: The Anti-War Poster Art of the 1960s. 1st ed.
• G. Gonzales, J. (2013). ART AND THE ANTI-VIETNAM WAR MOVEMENT. 1st ed. 

Websites

• Reflections on Liberty and Power, (2015). Picasso and the Anti-Vietnam War Movement 1969. http://davidmhart.com/wordpress/archives/517 
• Nguoore, Allary, (2013). Propaganda and the Vietnam War . https://prezi.com/k2umdkvqhlab/propaganda-in-the-vietnam-war/
• AFP, (2015). Powerful propaganda: Vietnam journalists' role in war. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/afp/article-3050148/Powerful-propaganda-Vietnam-journalists-role-war.html

What Illustrations Will you analyse



Essay Map

Introduction- Outline the thesis and briefly explain the argument that will be made. Include some background information about the controversial nature of the war.

Section 1- Argue that the use of propaganda promoted the war, and promoted American involvement in the war. Avoid opinions on weather America should have been involved, irrelevant.

Section 2- Analyse image 2 and suggest why the image was used as propaganda to promote the war and justify americas involvement.

Section 3- Argue the use of propaganda helped end America's involvement in the vietnam war, talk about the times of upheaval (1967- 1970) and why it was important to distribute propaganda to spread a message.

Section 4- Analyse image 1 and discuss the way in which the image persuaded particularly the men of AMerica to fight against Americas involvement and for those who were not drafted, for them to revolt against the war.

Conclusion- Illustration played a huge part in the vietnam war. it caused a surge in the participation because of the propaganda used by the AMerican governmnt, but it could also be argued that illustration helped and the war on Americas part as it helped to spread a message of negativity towards thier participation.

OUIL401- Studio Brief 1- Change of Subject

Although my essay question remains the same, I have finally decided that I want to focus my arguments around the Vietnam War. Not only is there a huge amount of illustrated propaganda available to me, but also textual information on how the use of imagery changed the way people thought about the war.

Because the war was such a controversial subject across the world, the subject will be easy to find information on for both sides of the argument. I will discuss how illustration was used to not only promote the war, but how it was used to encourage people to stand up against the violence.

OUIL401- Studio Brief 1- Essay Planning

After trawling through libraries and the internet trying to find information about times of social and political upheaval, I have come to a conclusion. To write an essay that effectively argues a point, I either have to stay with the 'safe' subjects which are dull, but have huge amounts of information available; or I go with a more interesting subject, with little to no information whatsoever.

Use of propaganda which is easy to find (Chinese wartime, Barak Obama's election campaign, WWII/WWI posters) are subjects which is widely known about anyway and a pretty standard thing to discuss, and because I don't particularly like essay writing anyway, I wanted to chose something which would catch my interest as a subject matter.

My initial thought process for the essay was to write about Thatcher's election, and the social repercussions that came thereafter, however the images and information discussing that exact subject just don't seem to exist, and the only evidence I seem to be able to find is some amateur made cut n paste image slating Thatcher, which isn't exactly the best thing to use when writing academic papers.
 

Structuring an Essay
My chosen question is quite an open ended one, instead of asking 'How' or 'when', it simply asks to 'Discuss' the subject. For me this is great as it allows me to explore both sides of an argument myself and create my own thesis on the matter.
My essay will discuss how propaganda has been used to support a certain viewpoint during times of social/political upheaval. Depending on my subject, I will argue that illustration and other forms of media have played a huge role in swaying mindsets and creating hype around these critical times. 
I will look to set out my essay as follows:

• Introduction- explaining the question and what the essay will discuss. (thesis)
• Para 1- Introduce my main case study and outline the time
• Para 2- Explain how illustration has been used to support the initial view
• Para 3- Image example 1- Discussion on how it was used.
• Para 4- Summary of first argument
• Para 5- Argue against paragraph 2 and outline argument
• Para 6- Image example 2- Discussion on how it was used.
• Para 7- Summary of second argument
• Para 8- Conclusion and Thesis reflection.

I will begin to gather possible sources to be used for my essay, including books, websites and other sources.

OUIL401- Studio Brief 1- Visual Responses

Below are some of my visual responses in my visual journal.

In the above image, I wanted to discuss the anarchic nature of war, and the simplicity of protest, simply being against something is enough to be able to protest it.

In this image, I wanted to specifically look at the war in Vietnam, and how the war was purely initiated because of economic issues. (The dong is Vietnamese money, not a penis). 

Reworking the dollar sigh, trying to create my own form of protest art.

I will continue to develop these images, and explore other means of protest art.

PORPAGANDA by Edward Bernays

Propaganda focuses n the use of physical and verbal methods of an 'invisible government' controlling societies opinions, tastes and ideas. With a very critical tone, Bernays describes the use of physical and social propaganda used by a controlling party to dictate the way society works. Bernays suggests 'In theory every citizen makes up his mind on public questions and matters of private conduct. In practice, if all men had to study for themselves the abstruse economic, political, and ethical data involved in every question, they would find it impossible to come to a conclusion about anything'. Implying that, for all his apparent negative views on the control of mass opinion, he appreciates the validity of it all. Suggesting that the majority of society need to be told how to think and what to buy in to.

Bernays talks about a 'village community' in which, around the time of the constitution,'produced the greater part of its own necessary commodities and generated it's group ideas and opinions by personal contact and discussion directly among its citizens.' (Bernays 1928-P13) as opposed to the contemporary technologies of the time of writing (mass transport, telegraph and telephone) where much more of a global community has been developed; making the distribution of propaganda even easier and more accessible to the masses, a situation in which Bernays argues that has made the powers of the government far superior, as they now have the ability to control a much, much larger proportion of global society. This is even more apparent now, through the development of the internet and other technological commodities.

PROPAGANDA IMAGES

COP Task 1- Image Analysis

The main purpose of both of the images is simply to advertise a product or idea; however the way in which the creators have achieved this is very different. The Uncle Sam Range image is basically used to advertise a new range cooker. The image is extremely patriotic, using only very American colours (red, white and blue) as well as depicting Uncle Sam, a bald eagle, lots of stars and stripes, as well as a bold 'western' font style. Which means that the product they were trying to sell was probably aimed at the aspirational American middle class. This is directly in contrast to the second set of images titled 'East African Transport', which depicts very traditionally African colours (browns, greens and reds) and was more used to sell an idea, an idea that colonialism is a positive thing for Africa, with the depiction of a white, probably British, colonist stood above watching the African people work with modern technology which has apparently made their lives much easier.

The Range cooker image has some very interesting social and historical implications, Sat at the table is a metaphorical figure of the world reading a bill, almost suggesting the the Uncle Sam range cooker had produced this wonderful assortment of food for the whole world to enjoy. Sat next to him round the table are three small children named 'Dixie', 'West' and 'New England'. Three states which until recently were experiencing a civil war with each other, and the fact that all three are sat around the table smiling together suggest that the cooker has brought the states together and has reunited social bonds, with Uncle Sam generously offering them food from his cooker. In the second set of images, it is implied that because of the technology brought through by British colonists, native Africans lives would be made much easier and there would be a huge social and economical progression made by this. However, strangely, the Old Style and New Style images both protray Africans working hard, with little to no facial expression, with the only change in figure being an almost uniform like outfit spread upon them in the New Style image, this strangely doesn't suggest progress, and almost tries justifying the covert slavery through having the British colonist stood above them.

Both of the sets of images are trying to advertise, and advertise the idea of progression through their technological advances. Both portray perpetuate racism through their degradation of the small black child in the cooker image or the native Africans in the second. Both images have the same historical implications, with an 'ideal' story of history being created, this is especially apparent in the cooker image where a clock is shown with the numbers 1776 (Declaration of independence) and 1876 (current date), showing the apparent development made between the dates; and the Aftican images showing what development was made through the British colonisation of East -Africa, an event which for local people was not a particularly progressive time in terms of social and cultural damages.

OUIL401- Preparatory Task

Cultural-  the customs and beliefs, art, way of life and social organization of a particular country or group.

 
http://www.mitchellkphotos.com/photography/everyday/images/everyday_009.jpg 

 
https://tedideas.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/market-scene-final-illo_web.jpg?w=1000&h=600&crop=1
 
 “You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them.” Ray Bradbury

Social- Human society and its modes of organisation. 

 
http://caitlinjack-turangawaewae-lens.weebly.com/uploads/2/8/1/8/28184133/7436672_orig.jpg

 
https://illustrationage.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/25anxiety-img-tmagarticle.jpg?w=700
 
  "The sanity of society is a balance of a thousand insanities."

RALPH WALDO EMERSON, "Nominalist and Realist," Essays

Historical- Belonging to or typical of the study of history.

 
http://d12tusb9bq3y6m.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Weird-Wonderful-Historical-Photographs-28.jpg

 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwEt9v1QpKuvUNSMoZMNYVDp4UEUwgVxMr-vG6Dk4YrIlUW2AJos0LwFDqaKsmuqEEDlB0ZaTcMeiNA0Rh4JUY4NSsjx5eyXHVBfiEmnEQfr2W_A9onYXUm6Namufv2GqjNUm1HLT6PsAQ/s1600/MedievalWarfare++MontielBattle+b.jpg 
 

"The history of the world is but the biography of great men."

THOMAS CARLYLE, Heroes and Hero-Worship, The Hero as Divinity

Political- Relating to the government or public affairs or a country or society.


http://www.jewishjournal.com/images/made/65a1a06ebc792e16/art_koudelka_010215_539_335_c1.jpg

 
http://weandthecolor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Political-Illustration-by-Anthony-Freda.jpg
 
"Politicians and diapers have one thing in common -they both should be changed regularly and for the same reason!"- Unknown


Technological- Relating to or involving technology, especially scientific technology. 

   http://www.elasticspace.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/InternetMachine01-web.jpg 

 
http://technicalillustrators.org/files/2015/03/todd-detwilier-anatomy-of-home-delivery.png 

"One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man. "-Elbert Hubbard