SEEING VISUAL CULTURE
Social Control
Extended Vision
Truth
“I didn’t know black women could get cancer” (Claudia Rankine, excerpt from Citizen (2014), 45).
Suffers from being noticed. The first thing people notice about her is her skin color. This is structural racism. In this case, invisibility is a good thing as the woman could be seen as a normal individual without being targeted and dehumanized because of the color of her skin.
“Even though I am totally blind . . . I consider myself a very visual person. I still ‘see’ objects in front of me. As I am typing now I can see my hands on the keyboard. . . . I don’t feel comfortable in a new environment until I have a mental picture of its appearance" (Oliver Sacks, “The Mind’s Eye: What the blind see,” The New Yorker (2003).
Medically considered blind people are not completely limited ability to see as there are other altered definitions of seeing. The person above is able to create a sense of environment for himself and mentally imagine what is there in front and around him.
“The truth is the light and light is the truth” (Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man, (1952). Light contains knowledge and experiences that is only visible when seen through light. Without light there would be nothing, therefore, light allows the absence of space to be filled with something
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“I hope we can also abandon the clichés that use the word ‘blindness’ as a synonym for inattention, ignorance or prejudice” (Georgina Kleege, “Blindness and Visual Culture: An Eyewitness Account,” Journal of Visual Culture Vol 4 (2) (2005), 178. As light is considered the ability to be knowledgeable and know the truth, to be blind means being dumb which is a stereotype that needs to be eliminated.
“ Her first impression is of extreme pain, but pain of a very unusual sort. It’s as if someone is stabbing her in the forehead. She immediately puts her hands over her eyes, and the sensation vanishes. “That’s the light!” they tell her. “That’s seeing!” Georgina Kleege, “Molyneaux Redux,” Invisible Culture 19 (2013).
She has always wanted to see and believed it would such a wonderful thing, but she was not ready for because she was mentally unprepared. The truth is not always as satisfying as one may hope.
“The... villages being engulfed, devastated, and washed away may remain engraved in our memories, but what turns out to be most perturbing are the barely visible details on the side, in the margins of media coverage and the largely invisible (or notyet-not-fully-becoming-visible) scope and consequences of nuclear threat” (Trinh Minh-Ha, “The Image and the Void,” Journal of Visual Culture (2016), Vol 15, Issue 1, 133). The media has control as it uses its power to decide what they want to make visible to the public or not.
“Cinema has followed the traditional code of representation in other visual arts by establishing a hierarchy of luminosity across gender and class, in which woman received more light than men, just as the rich did in relation to the poor” (Hilaria Loyo, “Blinding Blondes: Whiteness, Femininity, and Stardom” in Questions of Colour in Cinema, ed. Wendy Everett (Oxford and New York: Peter Lang, 2007), 186). The prejudices of the use of light in cinema is unfortunate as it purposefully shines light on objects that are considered to be of more importance.
Whitewash is the wealth of the poor and of the rich - of everybody, just as bread, milk, and water are the wealth of the slave and of the king" (Le Corbussier, “A Coat of Whitewash: The Law of Ripolin,” in Color, 83). Early milk promoters assumed milk with white superiority. It was believed that those who drink milk are both more physically and mentally strong than those who don't. For this reason, the color of association with milk (white) was usually demonstrated for the wealthier white individuals.
Whiteness is Overpowering
“And ‘white’ appears. Absolute white. White beyond all whiteness. White of the coming of white. White without compromise, through exclusion, through total eradication of non-white. Insane, enraged white, screaming with whiteness” (David Batchelor, “Whitescapes,” in Chromophobia (Reaktion Books, 2000), 11). Although white is usually described in a pure and peaceful aspect, the quote above demonstrates how whiteness can also be aggressive and dominating. This white space pushes the idea that the color white is superior as it creates exclusiveness.
“Though in many natural objects, witness refiningly ehances beauty as if imparing some special virtue of its own, as marbles, japonicas and pearls” Herman Melville, “The Whiteness of the Whale,” excerpted in Color (MIT, 2008), 37-38. Whiteness has become associated with beauty and paleness. This corrupted idea is being promoted by advertisements by the beauty industry as skin bleaching cream is becoming overwhelmingly popular.
Light brings everything into existence. It produces space, distance, and illuminates all that needs to be seen" Also “In order to see what precisely “light” meant at the time, one must pay attention to how “the dark” is to be understood as well” (Hans Blumenberg, “Light as Metaphor for Truth: At the Preliminary Stage of Philosophical Concept Formation,” in Modernity and the Hegemony of Vision, edited by D. M. Levin (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1993), 31-33).
Light allows for things to be acknowledged and for things to be seen.
“I think the light in L.A. is the whitest light I’ve ever seen” (Lawrence Weschler, “LA Glows,” The New Yorker, Feb. 23, 199).
Like the people described in the article, the light in Los angeles is occasionally so white that the brightness bceomes overwhelming and overpowering to the human eyes.
"Then the prisoners would in every way believe that the truth is nothing other than the shadows of those artifacts" Plato, The Allegory of the Cave from The Republic, Book VII").
In Plato's cave, the prisoners only saw shadows since they had their backs turned away from the light. The prisoners did not know the truth of the objects projected by the shadows as they can only interpret what they believed it to be. For this reason they were denied from figuring out the truth as they were in dark.
Shadows demonstrate hiding the truth, while light is where the truth can be discovered and more knowledge can be obtained.
“I was responsible at the same time for my body, for my race, for my ancestors. I discovered my blackness, my ethnic characteristics" (Shawn Michelle Smith, “Photography, Darkness, and the Underground Railroad: Dawoud Bey’s Night Coming Tenderly, Black,” American Quarterly Vol 73 (1), 2021, 259).
“ I didn’t know how we were taught to see a flattened blackness, to fear our own shades of dark. I do know how we accepted the narratives of white society to say that dark skin must be pitied, feared, or overcome.(Syreeta McFadden, “Teaching the camera to see my skin”). White societies have continuously perpetuated the negative aspects of dark skin and it made this a normal idea for future generations.
"Colour is routinely excluded from the higher concerns of the Mind. It is other to the higher values of Western culture. Or perhaps culture is other to the higher values of colour. Or colour is the corruption of culture.” (avid Batchelor, “Chromophobia,” in Chromophobia (Reaktion Books, 2000), 21-49). Throughout history, certain events perpautued stereotypes about color, which created corruption among colors in the future of advertisements or cinema culture.
Color is corruption
“Because we are capable of inaction, we know that we have the ability to act, and also the choice of whether to act or not. Black, the color of not seeing, not doing, is in that sense the color of freedom" (Paul LaFarge, “Colors/Black,” Cabinet Magazine 36 (2009-2010).
“We might try to approach black by way of its relation to other colors, by way of a kind of original difference, such that black, the presence of noncolor, is black only in relation to white, the color of absence" (Jared Sexton, “All Black Everything”). Black needs its counterpart white in order to showcase the real presence of the color and to understand the power that black holds..
“light and darkness, brightness and obscurity, or if a more general expression is preferred, light and its absence, are necessary to the production of colour... Colour itself is a degree of darkness" (Maria Popova, 19th Century Insight into the Psychology of Color and Emotion, The Atlantic (2012).
Lorna Simpson, Darkening (2018)
“And ‘White’ appears Absolute white. White beyond all witness. White of the coming of the White. White without compromise, through exclusion, through toal eradication of nonwhite" (Yves Klein, “The Evolution of Art towards the Immaterial” (1959), in Color, 121). White is of control. Although white is considered to be of the absence of color, white is powerful enough to be considered a dominating color due to its persistence and serious opaqueness.
Colored People, 1989-1990
“This is a series of modular canvases, painted entirely white, which reflect changes in light and the chance effects of shadows in the surrounding space" Robert Rauschenberg, White Paintings (1951).
Untitled White Monochrome (M 69), 1958
(Picket Fence and Farmhouse), 2017
Invisible is often a blessing as these people can be seen for their work
and achievements without making assumptions based of their background or their skin color.
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Both blue and white are colors that are usually associated with peace and calmness, however, in these scenarios, they are considered to be aggressive and overpowering. There seems to be this endless white and blue which dominates the rest of the colors.
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Advertising has become best manipulator as the controllers are able to perputate certain products and play into different stereotypes or socially desired futures.
“When she danced with him again she fell in love with him, which the shadow quickly discovered, for she had with her eyes looked at him through and through( Andersen, The Shadow). The woman saw the truth of the man and fell in love with him.
The whites' meeting takes place in early evening, in a fully lit room, characters that speak are shot with standard high key lighting so that they are fully visible... The black meeting, on the other hand, takes place at dead of night, out of doors, with all characters in shadow... distorts his face; grouping is in the form of broken, and uneven circle" (Richard Dyer, “White,” Screen 29:4 (Autumn 1988): 44–64. Light is shined on those who are believed to be important and those who believe to have knowledge. Playing into white supremacy, the white superior men are better illuminated.
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This image showcases the dullness and absence of light.
This image showcases the dichotomy of white vs black which are important as together produce a piece that is intriguing. Although black and white are opposites in order to better understand of one of colors it is important to understand the other.
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Too much white can become overpowering and monochromatic which allows nothing other than the color white to be seen.
Light is the only reality. It allows everything to come to life and bring purpose.
The color blue is complicated as it is considered to be neverending and powerful in these two writing pieces.
Being blind is often a good thing as it prevents the individual from experiencing the pain from the truth that comes from seeing.
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How cinema uses light in establishing a certain message.
The white sweatshirt the boy is wearing is disappearing into the background, while his face is able to contrast the white background. The contrast helps to further illuminate the child face, bringing more attention to it.
Color is subjective as it is represented differently for everyone: children, adults, and visually impaired individuals.
The power of invisibility and being blind is often undermined of its positive attributes as it allows the individual to be freer from reality.
Being seen is often a disadvantage as the observers are gaining knowledge of your actions and waiting to make a move. Being seen is only beneficial when it is desired, but usually, in public places, you are most likely being watched constantly without consent.
Film: All light Everywhere (dir. Theo Anthony, 2021)
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Power of being able too see allows individuals to have advantage of what they want to do with the knowledge or evidence they have aquired.
This part of the scene shines whiteness and light on the main character which is the white woman. She mimics the performance by drawing attention to both blackness and whiteness.
Blonde Venus
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This part of the scene has partially racist interpretations as the woman is imitating a gorilla. Black bodies are usually imitative apes and for the woman participating in the performance as an ape, creates a sense of dark humor on former racist stereotypes.
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White in juxtaposition to black allows the observers to understand the colors better
White in juxtaposition to black allows to understand the colors better.
The two actresses look somewhat similar, and the similarity is emphasized in this shot as their faces are combined with half of the other. This morph motive was to demonstrate the mysteries behind the truth. The whole movie is basically finding out the hidden truth about themselves
There are many different highlights of red vs green in this movie. To better understand the importance of red you need to understand the importance of green. In this scene red is working against green as the red potion is overpowering the green sphere of goodness.
Blue sometimes does have solutions as it can portray negative feelings such as sadness.
Blue is darkness and it is hiding the truth. The mother needs to accept the truth of her daughter and husband passing way.
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Persona
The Wizard of Oz
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Demonstrates the comparison of black and white and how effective this method is in order to push a more compelling message out. The move isn't just black and white for fun, but there is hidden message behind the motive for the colors used.
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"Perhaps you’ll think it strange that an invisible man should need light, desire light, love light. But maybe it is exactly because I am invisible. Light conforms my reality, gives birth to my form” (Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man, (1952). As the man declares, light is important as it makes the unseen feel more seen. It annihilates the absence and allows there for something to be seen.
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“It has become detached from human eyes and has largely become invisible. Human visual culture has become a special case of vision, an exception to the rule. The overwhelming majority of images are now made by machines for other machines, with humans rarely in the loop" (Trevor Paglen, “Invisible Images (Your Pictures Are Looking at You),” The New Inquiry, 2016). Humans are blinded by the truth as the machinary continues to take control of the images produced. The lighting, the composition, and the effects can all be manipulated and changed to create final product to the photographer's liking and message he wants to send out.
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“The child’s view of color represents the highest artistic development of the sense of sight; it is sight at its purest, because it is isolated” (Walter Benjamin, “A Child’s View of Color” in Selected Writings, Volume 1, (Cambridge: Belknap Press), 50-51). Children are blinded by the deeper meanings about objects and other aspects of life, and for this reason, blindness is occasionally a positive trait as it allows people enjoy what they believe instead of the truth. The truth is occasionally painful so living in your own fantasy resisting the truth is sometimes easier.
There is individuality with color experience as everyone sees color differently. Someone might be more color blind than someone else, but no one would know as the shade of color might seem differently to someone else and the right definition would be difficult to identity. (Lorraine Daston and Peter Galison, “The Color of Subjectivity,” in Objectivity (New York: Zone Books, 2010), 273–83".
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“Blue has no dimensions, it is beyond dimensions” (Walter Benjamin, “A Child’s View of Color” in Selected Writings, Volume 1, (Cambridge: Belknap Press), 50-51).
“For Blue there are no boundaries or solutions” (Derek Jarman, “Into the Blue,” from Chroma: A Book of Color (University of Minnesota Press, 2010), 115.
In this film, blue is associated with pain, loss, and suffering. Blue hides the pain and holds it within as you can see the mother/wife chomping and swallowing the blue lollipop. The mother swallows her daughter as a way to mourn. Blue belongs to darkness since it represents melchanony ideas.
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“Gender and race as key signs from which we often draw interpersonal meaning despite these aspects existing, so to speak, above the water line, while the rest of our being (the deepest and most primal parts) lie submerged and unseen” (Seph Rodney, Lorna Simpson Searches for Meaning in the Arctic Ice). With monochromatic paintings the lines and shades are often in important to notice as there are hidden messages underneath those techniques.
“The unanticipated shock: so much believed to be white is actually—strikingly—blue. Endless blueness. White is blue. An ocean wave freezes in place” (Robin Coste Lewis, Using Black to Paint Light: Walking Through a Matisse Exhibit Thinking about the Arctic). The blue is so overwhelming that it resembles features of the color white.
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Although they are opposites they work well together in order to produce something art more magnificently.
White in juxtaposition to black allows to understand the colors better
White is the superior color which is further demonstrated in many old cinemas and art pieces.
There Colors: Blue
Mother of George
There are many visual vibrant elements to the film. The wedding night scenes are filled yellow and blue tones expressing the warmth yet sorrow that will continue to inflict the couples live.
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There are constant comparisons between the two colors throughout the movie which further demonstrates the importance of colors in the movie as they represent contrast ideals.
"Although the police supervision was entirely in the hands of the king, it did not function in a single direction. It was a double entry system" Michel Foucault, “Panopticism” from Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison (NY: Vintage Books, 1995) (1975), 214)". The wealthy people below the king were also able to have an opinion on the surveliances that were used in order to prevent criminal activity for happening and revolting against the kind.
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Control of surveillance has not only become popular now, but in earlier eras it was used in order to control the people as well.