Barack Obama for Change

I searched online for this campaign image for Barack Obama. I am not sure of the novelty of this image, but the politically charged message is well depicted
and if not similar to the image I have impressed in my memory. In my opinion three meanings associated with this campaign image are of course “Change,” perspective of the future, and American patriotism.

“Change” is really a broad meaning especially when associated with a Campaign poster and “Change” is the primary message or meaning that makes the image especially powerful. Barack Obama is the first African American President in a country with a history of racism and slavery outside of the Anglo race. The fact that he is afforded an opportunity his particular ethnicity has been restricted from in the past indicates perhaps a change or difference in America versus its past. “Change” also could imply a difference in mind set of America in other issues such as environmental concerns.
Personally, I feel Barack Obama pensively looking beyond the viewer depicts a perspective of the future. Obama is illustrated as possessing a unique knowledge of what could happen; Thus, Obama is equipped in preventative action.
Red, white, and blue make up the color composition of Barack Obama’s campaign poster the official American flag colors. The use of red, white, and blue reinforces an appeal of Americans associating themselves as united in patriotism. I would like to mention that the shadows on his face and lifelike detail also exemplify the support of talented individuals who created the illustration (which can be considered a fourth meaning associated with Obama’s image).

"Yoville"

http://www.zynga.com/games/index.php?game=yoville&source=featuredgames
An online virtual reality game that I am familiar with can be found on “Myspace” under applications that can be added to your profile or at the provided link above. The game is made by Zynga and it is called “Yoville.” A person engaged in playing “Yoville” first creates a character or avatar. The individual playing "Yoville" decides whether the avatar created bears any personal resemblance or not.
Although the physical characteristics are limited, the person playing “Yoville” has many options in regards to clothing especially once the player accumulates money by working in a virtual factory or by purchases money credits with real cash (major credit cards accepted). An apartment home is assigned when one creates a “Yoville” account. The player of “Yoville” is free to decorate the apartment home as they wish providing they have the virtual money to do so. The apartment home come equipped with starter furniture. A person can also purchase a home, text talk to other players, play games with other players, go to a casino, and take part in many other interesting interactions.
“Yoville” does not purport lifelike images, but cartoon images using an isometric perspective.
The following is a youtube.com clip of “Yoville” where a player goes to a night club.


Personally, I’ve drifted away from “Yoville”. “Yoville” was a nice distraction at first. I found that the personalization of avatars by players in “Yoville” can become quite a creative process. Because I am not willing to use my personal bank account to purchase extras I may be unable to be so creative as a lot of players but more likely I probably lack the creative inclination.

The Other and the Norm

The current President’s wife is constantly photographed for her appealing fashion. In an effort to use the appeal of the First Lady, Baby Phat has modeled an advertisement after her. Kimora Lee Simons who is stepping off the plane is meant to be the First Lady while the children I assume represent her children and the man carrying the smallest child is the President. This advertisement establishes the norm of a fashion line available to the public, but establishes the idea of otherness by implying that the clothing is like the clothing of one of the most admiredfamilies.




In this particular advertisement for Nissan the Norm is established for the utility of a Nissan truck. However, this is not just any truck, the man that appears to own this truck appears to be sporty and rugged establishing otherness. Note also that he is maybe masculine enough to let his vehicle accumulate a little dirt. The advertisement implies that the truck offers more than utility, but a lifestyle.






The Norms of this photo are the famous debate of Pepsi vs. Coke. In this photo Pepsi establishes the other as Coke. The can of Coke has obviously gotten its assets kicked out by the surrounding Pepsi cans. Pepsi depicts here in this image that Pepsi favorably outnumbers Coke. I believe that the dominance in Pepsi cans vs. the one Coke can hint that someone with and undesirable status such as a loner would drink Coke.