Exploring : The term "ICON"

icon |ˈīˌkän|

noun

a painting of Jesus Christ or another holy figure, typically in a traditional style on wood, venerated and used as an aid to devotion in the Byzantine and other Eastern Churches.

• a person or thing regarded as a representative symbol of something: this iron-jawed icon of American manhood.

• Computing a symbol or graphic representation on a video display terminal of a program, option, or window, esp. one of several for selection.

• Linguistics a sign whose form directly reflects the thing it signifies, for example, the word snarl pronounced in a snarling way.

ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (in the sense [simile] ): via Latin from Greekeikōn ‘likeness, image.’ Current senses date from the mid 19th cent. onward.

iconography |ˌīkəˈnägrəfē|

noun

1 ( pl. -phies) the use or study of images or symbols in visual arts.

• the visual images, symbols, or modes of representation collectivelyassociated with a person, cult, or movement : the iconography of pop culture.

2 the illustration of a subject by drawings or figures.

• a collection of illustrations or portraits.

DERIVATIVES

iconographer |-fər| noun

iconographic |īˌkänəˈgrafik| adjective

iconographical |īˌkänəˈgrafikəl| adjective

iconographically |īˌkänəˈgrafik(ə)lē| adverb

ORIGIN early 17th cent. (denoting a drawing or plan): from Greekeikonographia ‘sketch, description,’ from eikōn ‘likeness’ + -graphia ‘writing.’ 

As humans, with or without religious beliefs we're all bound to come across icons, be it in the form of images, posters, large scaled painting, or statues (monuments). Every religion has a similarity whereby they have their own distinctive icons. Up till now we do acknowledge the existence of icons, but what we're missing here is the understanding towards it, towards the background and for some may argue, the purposes. It has to be there for some reason, and one of it serves as a visual interpretation of what you could 'expect' from that belief.

As I go deep into exploring the term "Icon" I basically went a long way understanding the background to it, the history, from when where and how it came about to using it as a way of communication in some icons found in some religion. My researches are internet based and through a book on "Icon Painting by John Taylor). But going through all what seems endless, pages of history on iconography, I came to realise that it all started with the very basics : turning the belief into a form of visual.

Pope Gregory I : "Painting is used in churches, that they who are ignorant of letters may at least read on the walls by seeing what they cannot read in books . . . To adore a picture is one thing, but to learn, through the story of the picture, what is to be adored, is another."

One particular piece of icon painting in Christianity that I came across in the book by John Taylor is the  Crucifixion, Venetian, 14th century.

If I weren't a christian myself, I would have understood the whole situation at that time by looking at the painting. So in another sense, the painting communicates even to those who are completely unaware of the story behind a story.

So I've mentioned in my previous post on Dr Martens boots, I would have to be able to enhance the essence of myself into an icon, regardless of it being in 3-dimensional or 2-dimensional, in order to make those who are interested in my work have another level of understanding of who I am or what to expect from me. Since I'm all about "style is what makes you shine", this brings me into researching about a style I like : Pastel Grunge.

Grunge is a subculture in the 90's, mainly consisting of shagged appearance. The theme I'm interested in is the incorporation of pastel into the grunge scene. Where harsh edges are twisted with some gentle elements.

Here are a few photos I've found from a magazine by Topshop (An apparel store originated from the UK) that carries the elements of pastel grunge in the form of clothings and jewelry, that I will be using as a reference for the outcome of my icon.

Assignment 2 : Stand-up Comedy : Guide to being shameless

For the stand-up comedy assignment, I have chose to portray a part of me that are rather shameless and embarrassing at times. I thought why not to embarrass yourself by being shameless since it has always made people laugh. Though this is not something that I'm completely new to, I think its important you "be yourself" when it comes to stand-up comedies. Because thats where and when you use yourself and with the help of other tools to create a funny atmosphere for your target audience.

The whole idea branched out as a sequel to my first assignment on Self-Portrait where I've photographed the "process of how I am made". 

Therefore for this comedy assignment, I try to adjust the humorous part in me with being awkward when it comes to presenting myself to how some people may see me judging from my 'cold' appearance.

This is my video "performance" on that day :

This is so embarrassing I can't even finish watching it...

Research : DR. MARTENS x The Story of An Icon

//Cover of the book//

As the content of the whole topic for the first project is rather broad, I try to associate my researches based on my personal style, as I believe its important for someone as a designer to come up with something that has a distinctive, trait of yourself behind your artwork.

So I've started off my research by sticking to the Fashion category, and I thought it would be great to read up on the famous Dr. Martens boots as its the kind of style that I personally really really like. I got the book from the library, in case any of you would be interested and read up a little on it too. I have a short attention span when it comes to reading so the book had graphics and photographs which helped A LOT.

The first pair of Dr Martens boots was in the production line in the 1960's. And as you can see in the attached photo, Dr Martens boots are in leather and chunky. The cherry red are the simply the classic piece.

I was introduced to this brand of boots when I was in my early teen years, when I started to like a particular style of dressing from the subcultures of Mods, Rockers and Grunge (Of course I didn't know the "terms" to the subcultures back then till I recently had to come up with a poster of a subculture in Visual Culture). The boots are the staple piece in their dressing and seeing something so bold and statement making I couldn't help but fall in love with the beauty of the boots.

And it made me wonder, that why out of everything, the youth subcultures chose the DM boots?

Here are some 4 steps to iconography I have discovered through the whole design of the DM boots.

To design an icon :

1. Have a Classic

If you want to come up with something in hopes that people would recognize the brand of it, then come up with a variety of designs in the same pattern. Just like the DMs. It has the same shape but each design has different types of quality. Like the types of leather, the colour of the leather, the prints on the leather, and whatnot.

2. Durability

Everyone goes for quality at one point or another. It was the quality that comes along with a pair of DMs that made it a craze in the battle grounds for soldiers and youngsters. The soles of the boots are resistant to Oil, Fat, Acid, Petrol, Alkali. So I think its better to come up with something that could be in the target of most of the audiences.

3. Music

Design something that would be of a good companion to music. That way it could be reached by more people.

4. Being an icon yourself

Parade yourself in your own artwork! Get it out there as a brand of you. Young designers need to get known too.