Our third assignment for ISCO was to create a portrait of a real or fictional character from two or more distinct points of view using multiple iterations of the same medium (see project brief below for full details).
In creating this multi-perspective portrait of Barack Obama, I used the visual language and symbolism of Byzantine and early Christian diptych artwork as a commentary on the polarized religious and partisan political rhetoric surrounding the current presidential election. Both candidates have been heavily narrativized by their campaigns and the media, but Obama’s representation in particular has arguably bypassed characterization into caricature: he has been both unrealistically deified by his proponents and outrageously demonized by his detractors.
I researched and co-opted the style and symbolism of Byzantine art in this piece because I found it a fitting analogy for the characterization I’ve witnessed: subjects are presented in a flat, abstracted fashion, but are then rounded out into more complex characters through the use of an intricate system of symbols. The symbols in this piece are representative (or satirical) of the character traits attributed to the candidate by each side (see key below). Though the symbolic language of Byzantine/early Christian art is largely foreign to us today, I’d argue that analogously reductionist representations are apparent in the sound bites, veiled or anonymous accusations, and other political propaganda surrounding this campaign. Ultimately, I hoped to comment on the fact that an accurate, “round” character portrayal is impossible to achieve when representations are limited to the dichotomy so often present in partisan politics.
Symbol Key
“Bad” Obama
- The Color Brown = spiritual death and degradation
- The Number Six = imperfection; 666 = number of the beast
- Ape = The female ape symbolizes Satan who will show interest in and coddle his offspring. But Satan’s affections are deceptive and will always lead to death. Apes also symbolize lust, cunning, cruelty and fraud.
- Blackbird = Sin and Satan (due to its melodious, enticing song)
- Mask = Hypocrisy
- Money = Betrayal
- Apple & Fig = Sin
- Elephant = The fall of man because it was believed that the elephant had no knee joints. The thick skin of the elephant is also symbolic of the stubborn sinner
- Pig = Gluttony, overambition
- Bat = Sin and rebellion.
- Goat = A wicked and unrepentant sinner
“Good” Obama
- The Color Green = vitality
- The Color White = purity, innocence and holiness
- The Number One = singularity or unity
- Lamb = Christ or the chosen one
- Unicorn = Symbolizes purity and strength
- Butterfly = Regeneration and fulfillment of prophecy
- Lion = The lion symbolizes alertness and watchfulness
- Lizard = the power of the word
- Fire = A symbol of zeal, passion and inspiration
- Scroll = Symbolizes that the person is an author and scholar
- Fish = Symbolizes trustworthiness, or a symbol of god's chosen one
- Sun = Power
Source: http://www.christiansymbols.net/
Project Brief
Following are the assignment details from Marina.
Intro
Character. Archetype vs. stereotype vs. individual. Cardboard character. Fully fleshed out character.
This next assignment focuses on the challenges of character development. Much of a character’s depth is realized through a combination of its actions, interactions, and supplementary behaviors.
In cinema, a character unfolds over time. A character is revealed by his/her/its actions.
In media or installation, a character often has to reveal itself in new ways that are non-linear or multi-linear. Every work – whether that is a Kleenex box, a doorknob, a mascot, or a story’s protagonist has a character to it, that’s made up of its material, content, expression, and environment. This assignment should bring your scrutiny of all the elements that comprise character to the foreground.
Ruleset
Create a portrait. It could be a real or fictional character, or a chimera – a mythical composite beast.
Your project must contain two or three distinct points of view (literal views, time frames, scales, positions, perspectives, or opinions).
Components
2-3 screens, 2-3 soundtracks, or 2-3 objects or forms. You must make multiples of the same type of medium (i.e. all screens, all toys, all tape decks, all talking shoes).
Ancillary material
Accompanying this should be a 1-3 paragraph character description. You should draw from the character shopping list or hand-out on characyter development. You will make this available to the class.
Questions
What is the central problem or thesis the character wishes to express? How is your portrait cinematic? Are you dealing with color, tempo, lighting, atmosphere, and scene to help give a sense of this persona? How are you characterizing your subject? How is she/he/it round, not flat?
Are you alluding to any particular narrative genres? What are we gaining in character depth, contradiction, or narrative viewpoints from having more than one perspective? How do multiple viewpoints or iterations help make your character “round?”
