Cop 2 / Synthesis / Essay to Practical

6 / 5 / 14

CONTEXT OF PRACTICE / OUGD503
RATIONAL.

Each poster represents an important point made with in my essay that discusses the effects and implications of social control. The visuals and concepts portrayed are directed by quotes from different theorists that talk about the origins and utilisations of control and conformity with in a consumerist culture.

‘Capitalism survives by forcing the majority, whom it exploits, to define their own interests as narrowly as possible. This was once achieved by extensive deprivation. Today in developing countries by imposing a false standard of what is and what is not desirable.’ (Berger, J. 1972 :154).

The way in which something seen as so menial, un-influensial and everyday such as the humble biscuit has been ordered, puts a differing perceiving up on the image as this is not usually the context these produce are seen in. This adds to the intrigue to the aesthetic and appeal.

The message being slightly obstructed and set at a light opacity symbolises the fact that these issues often go un-noticed and as consumerist we a oblivious to the larger actions going on. We don't walk in he supermarket every time and demand our rights to free choice, its just something that is there underlying with in the consumer culture unconsciously and is something we expect. this is enforced by this message, to which people fully understand the poster.

. ‘The power to spend money is the power to live. According to the legends of publicity, those who lack the power to spend money become literally faceless. Those who have the power become loveable’ (Berger, J. 1972 : 143).

 The message behind this poster is the setting of goals in life for people to prove themselves successful which in turn leads to a false sense of empowerment through the consumerist culture.

Using cars as an example acts as a representation of status, However this status does not really have much of an impact outside of everyday life. No matter how powerful the engine is on a car we still have to follow regulations through speed limits and other laws.

A Fiat Punto can can make the same journey as a Rolls Royce.

'Human beings don't all look at things the same way, innocently as it were. In this culture, the look is largely controlled by men.' (Coward, R. 2000 : 33) 

This quote regards the type of controls that are placed upon women considering appearance and perception. Even though this s not a direct form of control through governments, it is something that has been in place for many many years in order for men to remain dominant with in society. I liked the idea of making women look at themselves when choosing how they wish to appear in front others. This can take forms in fashion, clothing, makeup etc. and give a realisation to why women feel as though they have to wear these things to be seen as acceptable in today's society.

One Dimensional man raises the spector of the closing off or ‘atrophying’ of the very possibilities of radical change and human emancipation’ (Herbert Marcuse, 1962, One Dimensional man, Studies in the Ideology of Advanced Industrial Society, p21). 

When I thought about what aspects to everyday life are always playing off the same old thing, fashion kept coming up, This kind of idea was also brought up in my crit as something that is very noticeable to everyone, however goes on un-protested because we are so used to seeing it.

 I felt that getting rid of the faces helped to portray the notion of being all the same and becoming faceless as part of a trend.

Seeing the large amount of garments at ones acts as a realisation of the repetition and bombardment of trends that dictate how people present themselves and how they are then perceived by others

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Im really happy with how this has turned out. I feel that the structures layouts that remain consistent through out all of the posters is a good representation regulation and conformity which had originally been drives from the North korea Hair regulations.

The message that is then laid over the top and in and between the image brings a sense of context to the imagery used in the background.

The way in which the message is hidden slightly and broken up represents that fact that this is a subtle and subdued notion that largely goes on noticed by people with in society that unconsciously contribute to the 'regime'.

Once the audience feel as though they understand the message with in the main focus of the poster, the twists at the bottom then questions this initial understanding.

Adding the question 'What do you know about social control?' adds context to the poster as a whole. Many people may never of heard of this term so having it as a question almost hands out a challenge to the audience to look it up.