TEXT AND IMAGES
Furthermore, Magritte’s juxtaposition of text and images has influenced designs that are catchy and raise awareness (Pincas & Loiseau, 2008, p.55). Magritte used a variety of techniques of such juxtaposition, the most popular one being in ‘the Treachery of Images – Ceci n’set pas une pipe”. Created in 1929, this oil painting questions “reality and appearances” (Pincas & Loiseau, 2008, p.55). Here he created a unique arrangement that is “difficult to associate with any art –historical model” (Gohr, 2009, p.112). In the painting, the pipe is placed objectively in the center and does not attempt to aesthetically attract the viewer, instead uses shade and contrast between the calligraphy and the oversized pipe to captivate the…show more content… Magritte created a “universal visual code of symbols” which clearly expressed thoughts and ideas; these symbols catered to the needs of advertisement design (Wood, 2007, p.13). Standardized banal objects such as the pipe, umbrella, hat and clouds are the recurring symbols used by Magritte in his paintings. For example, the regular pattern of clouds appears in many of his images, where the clouds are superimposed onto unlikely objects (Grunenberg & Pih, 2011, p.32). One of his famous oil paintings depicting these clouds is “The False Mirror” (1950). The image consists of a central and realistic all Seeing Eye, where the iris is replaced by a sky with the white clouds. Here, Magritte illustrates the philosophy of “seeing and interpreting reality” (Lansing, 1985) where the clouds can signify different things; a reflection of the sky viewed or the iris of the eye or a metaphor for the thoughts of the beholder. Other paintings using similar juxtapositions of the cloudy sky motif include the spring tide (1951), the Curse (1931), etc. Subsequently, the clouds motif is seen in the famous CBS logo version of the painting ‘The False Mirror’. Here the motif establishes a “visual pun” where the “screen becomes an eye” and the logo becomes a” metaphor for seeing.” (Lansing, 1985). Another example of the use of motifs is in the “Art is” poster by Milton Glaser (1996),…show more content… However, the over-mimicry of his works without any conceptual connections has led to the devaluing of his influences and his works. If the use of Magritte’s strong imagery continues in the same manner, they may be forgotten or end up becoming mindless copies of symbols. The main aspect of Magritte’s paintings was to convey thoughts and ideas. In today’s political and social situation, such art can be used to create political or social awareness or to express oneself. Such advertisements especially when coming from commercial corporations, can change people and bring about positive changes in the society. Can designers aid to improve the current situations by creating artworks that have an improved connection to