Images carry reference to things we recognize, for example an envelope icon for most means email. However, disagreements can also exist around the meaning of images. For an older generation that remembers handwritten letters an envelope can reference a love letter. Differences in meaning can therefore be generational, as the envelope example shows, but such differences are always results of changes in social, cultural, economic and political settings.  The latter is what the rest of this module focuses on.

Split into groups of two people or more. As a group look at the following pictures (7 objects):

Discuss and agree amongst themselves what each image represents. After this, come up with a story by arranging the images according your preference. By referring to each picture make up a story that connects all the pictures into one narrative. You may want to write down your narrative. You can name the images (e.g. chair, door, etc.), repeat them in your narrative, and/or provide a description or meaning. There are no strict rules on naming, description, or interpretation.

Taking turns narrating to the other groups the story you came up with. Once you have all shared your stories discuss the differences and similarities in your narratives, the way you named and described the images. From where do you think these similarities and differences come?

You can this of this exercise as a game. You might even wish to suggest it to a teacher and do the exercise at school, or with a group of friends in another setting.

Sit in a circle and place one chair in the middle of the circle. Each one of you takes turns describing what you see.

Relying on the responses it might become evident that differences in physical positions (where one is standing/sitting) provides us with a particular viewpoint. These views are similar to the views we have depending on our social, historical, and economical positions.

For example, freedom of movement is generally conditioned by political and economic limits and possibilities. If we consider the case of visa liberalization in Kosovo, we see that political developments have created a situation where Kosovar citizens are not able to move from one country to another in the EU as their neighbors can. However, some groups of Kosovars have more mobility then others (the more affluent, for example). Therefore, our social, economic and political positions shapes they way we interpret what we see.

This section provides a discussion and exercise.

As an exercise take a look at the following images. You can do this alone or with others. Write down what you see in each picture and note any differences and similarities you notice. Discuss among yourselves what you wrote.

^{1       2}

^{3        4}

Discussion

The images show how ideas of beauty are not fixed and universal. They rely on particular cultural, and other, influences and therefore reflect social values of a particular time and place. The images show how during different historical periods, dominant representations of female beauty have changed. In the first image, the woman appears passive, serene, and innocent. During the Renaissance (in the West) paintings were the medium through which these ideas were disseminated. In the second image, Marilyn Monroe, whose image is more globally disseminated (movies, posters, etc.), became an icon of beauty in the 1960s. Similarly to the woman in the first image, her image reinforced ideas of beauty and femininity as passive, romantic, sensual, naïve. In a way, the social expectation on women was to be beautiful in a particular way, reflecting her position and role in society. As images three and four show, contemporary notions of female beauty also rely on trends set by the fashion industry, as well as movies and advertising. In the third image, Cindy Crawford, a super-model during 1990s appears more active and powerful. Beauty icons that are younger and thinner have more recently replaced this model of beauty. In the fourth image, Cara Delevingne, model and actress, especially popular among teens is an example.

The images above show how notions of gender - in this case womanhood - have been tied to physical appearance, and how those have reflected the changing positions of women society. They also document changing roles held by women and assigned to them. Therefore, images have meaning that depends on context and can hold valuable information about a particular society and time.

Also, within a particular society different groups can have different ideas about what is considered beautiful. Another example to consider is how the phrase “Black is Beautiful” during the 1960s in the U.S.A., reflected the strife for empowerment of African-Americans and aspirations towards changing social values of the time. Even today, as the images above show, dominant notions of beauty are connected to whiteness. Therefore, images matter. They matter because they shape and are shaped by social, political and economic relationships.

¹ “A Woman at Her Toilet” by Titian. Photograph. Britannica Online for Kids. Web. 19 Aug. 2016.  <http://kids.britannica.com/elementary/art-88772>.

² http://www.pintattoos.com/800/marilyn-monroe-body-photo-shared-by-alejoa-tattoo-share-images/ORdGF0dG9vcy5mYW5zc2hhcmUuY29tL3Bob3Rvcy9tYXJpbHlubW9ucm9lL21hcmlseW4tbW9ucm9lLWJvZHktMTY5NzQ0MTQyMi5qcGc/ 19 Aug. 2016

³ http://www.vogue.com/9171253/workout-video-fitness-evolution-jane-fonda-cindy-crawford-tracy-anderson/ 19 Aug. 2016

⁴ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cara_Delevingne 19 Aug. 2016

⁵ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJpnLzYsDko

Please find below the link to the map exercise.

Reading Images - map exercise

In this exercise you will engage in a critical reading and discussion of a piece of art. The art work, titled Transition by artist Erzen Shkololli, is a composite of three pictures.

Take a look: http://www.e-cart.ro/1/blood/poze/blood5_uk.html

In a group discuss what you see. Use the discussion points made in the Reading Images section for your discussion of this art-work.

Some question to answer (take notes):

• What do you see in each picture?
• What do you see when you look at all three pictures?
• Describe each picture?
• What meaning do you think it conveys?
• What meaning do you not understand? Why?