Sunday, March 28, 2010

Molotov and Ecstasy

The Molotov Man is an interesting case to consider it seems that the image that was taken became something much larger than anyone could imagine. In the image resides a deep emotion felt by a particular subject which resonates in many situations. The original context is overpowered by this emotion conveyed in that moment. That emotion could be translated and superimposed on many situations. That is why it can be so easily taken out of context, placed even in the situation of advertising. But what the image conveys is still present if set all by itself. Quite simply there is a conviction in this man that has drawn him to fight to protect it. The context of the situation pales in comparison to the raw energy of the image. The raw energy of the image has caused it to take flight, not the context in which it is placed. Not that the context is not deserving of it's connection to the image, but does this image lay only in service to the context? As the ecstasy reading seems to validate. Artists draw on all kinds of sources to inspire thier work. I think that it is only human to do so. Our mindsare like corkboards and we tack all sorts of experiences on those boards. Many of these experiences are not our own. How can we learn without calling upon the knowledge of our predecessors. For a piece of music there are only so many notes that can be played, before they must be repeated. The alphabet only has so many letters, and the dictionary so many words. There is a finite number of combinations in any creative brew. So if one must call upon another's work in creating their own. I only see this as a testament to the effectuality of that work. If the meaning of that work is construed by adding extra value to it then it only testifies that the original meaning was withstanding enough to contribute to the recontextualization givin it by its new appropriation.

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