Chapter 3. The map, the mirror and the simulacrum
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Karin Kukkonen
Abstract
This article identifies the three metaphors of mirror, map and simulacrum as central for the political discourse in visual communication: Images designated as mirrors, such as documentaries, convince because they seem to reflect reality. Images designated as maps, such as advertisements, convince because they imply that they tell their observers something worth knowing. Poststructuralist criticism has deconstructed both the persuasion of mimesis and the persuasion of tellability. Deconstruction, however, does not seem to offer productive contributions in the political discourse of power and the negotiation of society’s values. Kukkonen thus suggests reconsidering the rhetorical strategies of the mirror and the map when discussing the role of images in political discourse.
Abstract
This article identifies the three metaphors of mirror, map and simulacrum as central for the political discourse in visual communication: Images designated as mirrors, such as documentaries, convince because they seem to reflect reality. Images designated as maps, such as advertisements, convince because they imply that they tell their observers something worth knowing. Poststructuralist criticism has deconstructed both the persuasion of mimesis and the persuasion of tellability. Deconstruction, however, does not seem to offer productive contributions in the political discourse of power and the negotiation of society’s values. Kukkonen thus suggests reconsidering the rhetorical strategies of the mirror and the map when discussing the role of images in political discourse.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Approaches to visual communication and the question of power
- Chapter 1. Images 11
- Chapter 2. The critical tradition in visual studies 39
- Chapter 3. The map, the mirror and the simulacrum 55
- Chapter 4. Disenchantment with politics and the salience of images 69
-
Part II. Case studies
- Chapter 5. Organising political consensus 91
- Chapter 6. Walls, doors and exciting encounters 113
- Chapter 7. The politics of visual representation 151
- Chapter 8. The politics of identity and visuality 181
- Chapter 9. Visual politics and celebrity humanitarianism 199
- Chapter 10. The economics of gay reality television 225
- Chapter 11. Mending endings 245
- Chapter 12. Representing the state of exception 269
- Index 291
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Introduction 1
-
Part I. Approaches to visual communication and the question of power
- Chapter 1. Images 11
- Chapter 2. The critical tradition in visual studies 39
- Chapter 3. The map, the mirror and the simulacrum 55
- Chapter 4. Disenchantment with politics and the salience of images 69
-
Part II. Case studies
- Chapter 5. Organising political consensus 91
- Chapter 6. Walls, doors and exciting encounters 113
- Chapter 7. The politics of visual representation 151
- Chapter 8. The politics of identity and visuality 181
- Chapter 9. Visual politics and celebrity humanitarianism 199
- Chapter 10. The economics of gay reality television 225
- Chapter 11. Mending endings 245
- Chapter 12. Representing the state of exception 269
- Index 291