Visual_Analysis

Visual Analysis Although the statement may be cliche, pictures can represent a thousand words. In the process of visual analysis, the audience uncovers these thousands of meanings within certain pictures to get a more detailed understanding of the images. Visual analysis incorporates methods like comparing and contrasting within different images to determine the underlying ideas represented in each work. Great pictures to use for analyzing visually are images of the Tank Man (one photo that depicts the actual event and the other that is animated). In order to fully comprehend the images of the Tank Man, one should know the history behind it. On June 5th of 1989, the Chinese government physically abused Chinese student protestors at Tiananmen Square. During this violent event, several hundreds of protestors were killed or wounded by the government. In order to stop this, the Tank Man blocked the route of the military tanks – all alone. His identity remains to be a mystery, but by stopping the war tank's tracks, he brought the uprising to an end and stopped the government from further harming students. Even though these two photos depict the same event that occurred in Tiananmen Square in 1989, they differ in that the animated version illustrates the true spirits of the tanks and the man. The two images of the Tank Man show the man standing in front of four massive assault tanks, preventing them from moving any further. The actualized photo delivers an objective tone; it simply shows the actual photo of the Tank Man standing in front of tanks. However, the animated picture conveys a more bitter message; it depicts the tanks as evil-looking creatures, while the Tank Man is represented as a white figure. By symbolizing the monsters as tanks, the illustrator demonstrates bitterness and hatred towards the Chinese government for their immoral and unjust act, while he/she portrays the alone rebel as a pure and clean hero (represented by the color white). By making such distinct differences within the animation, the illustrator clearly shows who the hero and villains are. On a different note, the two images have relatively different audiences and purposes. The actual photo of the event (called “photo one” from here on out) is intended mainly for Chinese citizens and the world (in general terms). It depicts exactly what happened during the intervention of the Chinese man and the tanks during the uprising. By showing the Tank Man standing in front of four tanks by himself, the photographer is showing the boldness of a single Chinese citizen. It conveys the idea that anyone can make a difference for the better of society, thus; the audience for photo one would be Chinese inhabitants and the world's individual population. In a sense, the purpose of photo one is to inform the general public about a certain deed. On the other hand, the animated photo (called “photo two” from here on out) mostly targets the Chinese students that were associated with the violence in Tiananmen Square. The artist shows a white figure stopping four monsters from further attacking the students. In doing so, the artist successfully recognizes the single man as the hero (emphasized by the white coloring) of all the students that were present that day. In other words, this image was created to honor the unknown man who saved several of the students' lives. This image honors and glorifies a certain person for his deed. Due to the sheer fact that photo one is just a regular photo and is fairly unedited (somewhat objective), there are not much assumptions that it makes. However, photo two makes a couple of assumptions. First, because the tanks are shown as harmful monsters, it is assumed that these tanks could have injured even more students had the Tank Man not shown up. Furthermore, because there are four (not one) monsters present, photo two shows the intended great amount of damage that the government would have executed if no one rebelled against these tanks. Also, by making the Tank Man a white, solid figure, the animator gives us the assumption that, ultimately, the Tank Man overcomes the tanks alone through his strength in bravery and morality (symbolized). Apart from the topic of assumptions each image conveys, both photos raise a series of questions and answers. To begin, both photos answer the main question of “What happened'” They both clearly show a man rebelling against tanks by standing in their way. As for the more minor details, both photos show when the event occurred. By seeing the shadows and apparels of both the pictures, one can tell that this happening occurred during the day time (when the sun was out). Questions that both the pictures raise include “Who is the Tank Man'” Unlike most photos, the identity of the main stars in these images are completely unknown, thus; the man is referred to as “Tank Man.” Also, both works bring up the question of why the Tank Man is rebelling (was it for his own reasons or was it an act to help the students') Finally, the ultimate question that comes to mind from these two visuals is: “What happened to Tank Man'” To this day, these questions are left unanswered and remain a mystery. Moving on to comparing and contrasting, both of the works of art have common as well as different features. In general terms, photo one and photo two are relatively the same. They both have the same shadows placed in the same spots, similar points of view (the angles), the same objects are displayed, and the road is remarkably similar. It can obviously be seen that these two images root from the same picture. The only two differences that both pictures have from one another are seen in the man and the tanks. Photo one shows the Tank Man as himself (a real person), while photo two shows the same man as a symbolic white figure. Also, photo one shows the tanks as they actually appear, while photo two depicts the tanks as wicked monsters. By using the same source image as the artist of photo one, photo two tries to distinctly emphasize the differences in the ethics of the Tank Man and those who sent the tanks. As stated previously, the color white symbolizes peace and the presence of a moral judgment, in determining what is right and what is wrong, by the brave man, while the monstrous physiques of the tanks symbolize the terror of the Chinese government's unethical movement. This emphasis is made possible by keeping all other factors (excluding the Chinese man and the tanks) relatively the same. Visual analysis, as shown, can be carried out in numerous ways. Whether it involves comparing and contrasting or elaborating on specific details, visual analysis allows for viewers to obtain in-depth knowledge about particular images. By using this method, we are able to understand the ideas presented to us through photographs much more clearly. The two works of art, of Tank Man in Tiananmen Square, represent the same event, but present different ideas and viewpoints about the occurrence. By putting visual analysis to use, distinct similarities and differences are noted more efficiently. That, in turn, allows for a more detailed analysis of both works. In whatever case, visual analysis should be used to truly grasp the content of pictures. Works Cited Witty, Patrick. "Behind the Scenes: Tank Man of Tiananmen." The New York Times. 03 June 2009. Web. 29 Oct. 2011. DeFazio, Kristen. "Computers: Tank Man (Tankmon) ." Kristen's Art Blog. 26 November 2009. Web. 29 Oct. 2011.