Faces and Deception

Just came across a BBC show called "How Art Made the World" and it was essentially pointing out one big idea we have been talking about in class - the power of images and art; that art was all about power.

The point forwarded by the show today was how images used to depict and exercise power over the people. The best example is how Alexander the Great, who created an empire as far reaching as the Roman Empire. He was, apparently, the first to use the image of the Face in money as an insistence/reminder of who was the ruler at that time. A template to be followed by future leaders and cultures.

Likewise, in early paintings and mosaics made of him, Alexander was always depicted as the face of youth, bravery and nobility. The power of the image is more prominent when it is juxtaposed with the image of the Persian king he defeated, depicted with a face of cowardice, corruption and fear. Given the two faces of military rulers, the emergence of Alexander not just as the victor but as the popular is not surprising because of the idea depicted by the image.

Of course, the Face has inspired more than artistic reflection and interpretation as our friend Emmanuel Levinas has had discourse on its philosophical significance.

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The second segment of the show highlighted a different idea - on the power exercised through images and art and how we can manipulate the minds of the people through art.

And for this, reference is made to Emperor Augustus of Rome. His depiction not just as a peaceful, just and benevolent ruler but as the emperor who will unify the conservative and the liberal sides of Rome was a powerful image constructed/reinforced in his famous statue below. The statue also appeals to the idea that he was the ruler that the Gods vested power on - testament to how the idea of the religious is still intimately connected to the political.

But, as the show told us, it was a deception - the image told a lie that the Romans fell for. He was not as benevolent as he was depicted - he fell into the trap of corruption (power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely). This use of art served as a template for future political leaders who fell into same rut of solitary rule and absolute power - they all made use of images that may deceive/euphemize people. Of course, our own Marcoses come to mind with the propaganda of Bagong Lipunan (or lets go argue).