I love stories like the ones 'Cracked' does. Anything relating to propaganda and especially the 'Che' image fascinates me. Of all the things that failed in communism, this one image, is the only thing that movement produced that truly took over the world. It's iconic and ironic all at the same time. How can you not love it?
"Why it's Pure Propaganda:
Because Alberto Korda also moonlighted as Fidel Castro's unofficial photographer, and his famous picture of Che Guevara has essentially gone down in history as the Marxist equivalent of the crucifix.
The image is easily duplicated, instantly recognizable and has been lauded as "the most famous photograph in the world" due to its emotional accessibility to anyone who has ever been pissed off at something. And brother, that's a huge freaking market right there."
http://www.cracked.com/article_18489_6-mind-blowing-achievements-in-propaganda.html
%20(002).jpg)
3 comments:
I can't abide anything that makes communism look sexy or hip. I distrust any sort of propaganda. Propaganda is a debasement of truth.
That being said, he does look pissed about something. Must be the Irish in him.
Interestingly, of the more than 20 pictures Korda took on that roll of film, Che appears in only two frames and his appearance was quite by accident.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:KordaFilmRollChe.jpg
I'm not against communist kitsch; I've found some hilarious and bizarre stuff while travelling through communist or former communist countries. I saw plenty of Cubans wearing that during a Labour Day parade in Havana, but when university students wear it because they're mad at their parents, that's when it's insufferable. As long as you acknowledge it's propaganda and treat it as such, there's some awesome stuff out there. (I'm looking for some sweet old propaganda when I go to China next week.)
Now that sounds cool Kate. I remember reading about a shop in Berlin when the two sides came together that sold all kinds of Cold War soviet stuff like posters and those awesome fur hats. You go girl with your capitalist self.
Post a Comment