Ideology In Visual Culture

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Images have always been central stage to human communities and that is because they have the ability to shock or confront you in split seconds. Visual Culture talks about two theories representation, which refers to an individual utilizing the language and images to understand and make meaning out of their surroundings. The other is semiotics, which in general terms is the study of signs and symbol to understand the symbolic meaning behind them. An image always contain some degree of choice this is because the composition in the image whether it be the subject selection, the framing or process have deliberately selected to suit an ideology. An ideology is a belief system or set of values through which a society live out their lives to have a social structure. This can be…show more content…
The Nazis had a Ministry of Propaganda with Joseph Goebbels being the minister. The Nazis in order to win the support of their people created documentaries such as the ‘Triumph of Will’, where the Nazis and Hitler were shown as heroes. Perhaps the most influential documentary the Nazis created was ‘The Eternal Jew’ the anti-Semitic propaganda documentary which portrayed the Jews as evil, corrupt, monsters that will take over the world. Due to the documentary the Nazis gained support from the German citizens which led to the Holocaust. The Russians jumped on the propaganda wagon as well and films such as Battleship Potemkin were made and graphic designers like Rodchenko were much praised about their work. The showing of enemies as weak, cartoonish, foolish and axis of evil were used by every country involved in the World War. Similarly Graphic designers such John Hartfield used images to stand against the dominant powers. By using photomontage he showed Hitler as a money hoarding leader, who was fighting only because of money. Today the symbol of Che Guevara is associated with
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