Thursdy 27th April 2006

Iconicity

In the modernized world of the 21st century, there are few artists that have inspired us, many has been culturally iconic. Iconic could mean many and different purposes. The meaning of the word is broad and could signify almost anything. For example, you could use iconic as a symbol on the monitor to show a command, or you could use iconic in a religion to symbolise an image or a symbolic. Just like an iconic for a legend or famous person to sell commodity, but however, in my side of the argument I am going to voice Che Guevara's political lifestyle and how culturally iconic fits in with simulacrum.














Culturally iconicity

Many heroic icons have inspired us throughout our time, each and every individual of us have considered being more than one icon, in every characteristic. These icons could be categorized on various stages like ultimate all time ring fighter Mohammed Ali from boxing, the incredible Michael Jackson from the entertainment industry graced with "gods gift" of dance moves. Pele and Maradonna from classic football, the political knowledge of Malcom X & Martin Luther King, and finally the flips and king of fighters, Bruce Lee in martial arts. All these characters that I've named have created a big effect towards themselves in one way or another by the public. People don’t refer to them as an main aspect towards their occupation or there fame, they portray images that are bigger & by how they were originated from. For example publicity try to identify Mohammed Ali as a different kind of meaning or theme that is associated with him, however these meanings are actually significant, but they don’t necessarily try to be that person really, they become more associated with that person instead. The main aspect that I am focusing on is Ernesto Guevara. The public criticize that his culture resembles to Jesus but generally he has nothing to do with Jesus in any sort of religious way. Che Guevara spent time in the jungle for a long period of time who hardly shaved his facial hair and the hairs on his head leading to many people saying Che is identified by his facial features that are similar to Jesus, therefore linking them together. There are also paintings and posters on churches which show an image of Jesus, but however people also see that painting as an image of Che Guevara making people feel uncomfortable or intimidated whilst in church, knowing that deep down they have been offended & disappointed. A lot of issues went on with the public, stating that there is only one Jesus & no-one should try to violate or imitate Jesus images that represents Christianity. No one should ever compare the reputation with Jesus & Che Guevara. Jesus wasn’t a person that was wild and went through war, he didn’t commit any violence compared to Che Guevara. People wasn't expecting anything like this because that’s not the image of Jesus they wanted to see.

Iconicity has various answers, but iconicity in my expression suggests that a symbolic image has a word to describe "Che" and also relates to "Che". For example in my mind the category that relates to Che Guevara are Cuba, Latin America, politics, economy, bravery, fashion, merchandise and etc. It’s a way to express someone, photographic plays a big part into iconicity. Here's a reference “this is Che Guevara” you are referring to its reference him itself. In this case the image you see of Che Guevara portrait.