Masked Metaphor

In this photo, there is a row of televisions with a similarly shaped painting at the end. This is visually appealing because of the repetition of shapes and the emphasis on the last rectangle through color and dimensions. What makes this last shape most interesting to the viewer, however, is the figural subject. The painting in the photo is not only an imitation of the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, but there is also a person behind the painting, taking the place of Mona Lisa’s face. This substitution of real life for a masterpiece, when paired with the row of televisions, speaks to the importance of each in today’s visual culture. Television and video games have grabbed the attention of today’s youth, with little room for art appreciation in the traditional sense. Kids may appreciate the artistry of the television or virtual worlds they participate in, but it is rare to see kids choose traditional art over digital art. This photo, especially with the person looking straight into the camera, represents this disconnect between the digital and the traditional. A metaphor is created by the row of televisions, an evolution of culture, disrupted by a reminder of the past, which addresses the viewer directly. According to the reading on the genealogy of postmodern theory, our brains tend to divide things into categories, often binary. The binary set in which this particular metaphor fits into is the present versus the past. New technology lines our walls where art of the past used to hang. The metaphor in this photo should bring to one’s attention the evolution of visuals, their importance in contemporary society, and how these things change over time.