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.