Problem
Choose one well-known 'Popular Culture Character' (real or fictional, human or non-human) to analyze, and explain how the different messages it is used in are constructed symbolically. You will:
A. Choose a major pop culture 'character' (real or imaginary), find an 'original image' of it - which would be an image that that person/being has produced themselves to represent them in the way they want to be portrayed (such as Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, Garfield, Drake, My Little Pony ...), and identify what it represents. Describe its 'original personal and physical traits' and where it was used (TV show, print cartoon, film etc.). What was the social context of the image: when created, cultural and social context, goal of the creator who circulated it? Analyze the symbolism of this image: all the visual, symbolic, text, style and cultural elements (overt and subliminal) that are used to create the image (see list below) and explain what they stand for so we can understand how and what they communicate as that figure's identity or the image's message.
B. Identify 3-4 other visual images (depending on the complexity) that use this character but were created by a different person, used at a different time, and communicate a different message. Analyze the symbolism, social context, and goals of each of these 'secondary' images as you did for the first image (humour, ridicule, information), and compare how the creator has managed to change meaning in each of these.
C. Through analysis and comparison, explain how changes in the original's symbolic features alter the messages being sent. What can you say about the goal(s) that the communicators had in creating an alternative message? Explain the effective ability (effect on us) of these visual images - parody, entertain, mimic, spoof, satire, humour, political commentary, create 'desire' and sell products; as well as affective or emotional response it is trying to elicit from the viewers?