The three contemporary icons I have chosen are the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles, the original coca-cola bottle and Santa Claus. All three of these iconic images are known all over the world with no (or very little) explanation as to what they represent.
A common element of icon status is the ubiquity of imagery and allusions to the iconic figure. It is common for the figure to be recognized and even celebrated in areas outside the original source of celebrity status (Wikipedia, 2009). All three of the icons I chose have this ubiquitous nature. For instance, Santa represents more than just the season, but the art of gift giving and joyous occasions.
The Hollywood Sign is a perfect example of a contemporary icon. This sign, originally used to advertise a new housing development in Los Angeles has evolved to representing the movie industry and the obsession of celebrity status we have in America (not the mention the rest of the world). People from all over the world come to view and take pictures of the sign. Many cities around the world have copied the elements of this sign for their own signage. On a recent trip to LA, it had not even occurred to me to look for the sign nor was it on my list of “things to do”. But as I rounded a corner and the sign came into view I was immediately caught off guard by my own emotions while looking at the sign. I could not help but marvel at its presence and came to realize how this simple sign has come to be one of the more popular emblems of the United States. I am sure the original creator of the sign had no idea what impact this sign would have on our society.
The original bottle of coca-cola has a special meaning to me. As a child of the late 50’s and 60’s who grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, the coca-cola drink was a family staple. My father traveled for a living and when he came home each Friday, we gathered as a family, sat around the kitchen table with our cokes and talked about our week. This was a very special time for me. Just to share a weird part of my experience, I would take salted peanuts and put them in the bottle. The salt from the peanuts gave the coke a special flavor and, of course, eating the coke-soaked peanuts at the end was a treat. With the new formulas of coke today, I am not so sure this would taste the same. The image of this bottle brings back many memories -- ones I will cherish my entire life.
I love the Christmas season and I also love images of Santa Claus. This is one of those universal images that bring a sense of job and happiness. Even though I know that Santa Claus is not the real meaning of Christmas (as part of my family tradition, we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas), I can’t help but love the emotions that are created by this mythical creature. While all we have is the image or picture of Santa Claus, this image conveys a meaning much bigger than just a picture. Santa Claus is an emotional experience that begins in early childhood and continues it emotional claim through adulthood. Did you notice that I choose a picture of Santa with a Coke?
Reference
Pop Icon, (2009, October 7). Retrieved October 7, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pop_icon#cite_note-4
I think you chose some good icons for this assignment. I agree that each of these icon speak for themselves as to what they stand for. The Hollywood sign and its significance to the movie world, coca-cola as a major soft drink, and Santa Clause as a Christmas deity. It is amazing to see all the different types of icons that are out there and what they stand for or represent.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenny,
ReplyDeleteYour analysis was very detailed, good job! I agree on the icons speaking their own language. Most people can relate to the joy Santa Clause brings to a family on Christmas morning. I admit at the age of 30, when Christmas eve arrives, I still get a feeling of excitment just like my childhood. I also remember going to the grocery store with my mom when I was around six or seven, taking a case of empty coco-cola bottles back to be recycled. Times have really changed over the years, those moments seem like yesterday. Traveling west is on my list of things to do, and I hope to view the Hollywood sign one day. Educating myself on popular culture has turned out to be more beneficial than I anticipated. Thanks for the enjoyable information.
Brandi