Iconic Images 21

I've wanted to post about the story behind this particular Iconic Image for a while now, ever since I heard it on the Today programme some months ago. Yesterday, though, I came across a video which does the job for me. First, though, the image - a war-time poster that has become a common sight in card and gift shops all over Britain:

And now, the story of the poster itself:

Oh, and how cool does Barter Books look?

Andrew

Iconic Images 20 - Halloween Edition

I've never really been a fan of Horror Films and am certainly not a fan of the modern type - I prefer older horrors where psychological tension and anticipation are the order of the day (or night) and not blood, guts, gore and Sadism.

In view of this being Halloween, however, I've looked out a couple of old film posters - only one of which I've seen - which could lay claim to the "Iconic Images" tag.

Andrew

Iconic Images 19 - In Memory of Steve Jobs

I've got a confession to make. I've never been a huge fan of Apple computers. At school, I could barely work the BBC Basics, let alone the new-fangled Macintosh's.

Of course, Apple now is about more than computers. Indeed, it arguable how much it has to do with computers at all. Since Steve Jobs returned to the company in 1997, it has transformed into a trend-setting, design-led, producer of mobile entertainment hardwear and retailer of content for its various devices. 

From the launch of the original iPod, through the development of the iPod Touch and then the iPhone to the iPad, they have identified/created, developed and exploited the market, gaining legions of followers and devotees. Indeed, if I had greater resources, I would probably upgrade from my trusty iPod Shuffle despite a certain cynicism about the regularity of new launches that Apple manages. An iPhone at my next upgrade isn't out of the question, either...

There is little doubt that without Steve Jobs, Apple would not have become the company that it is today. The question now is; can Apple continue to be that company? Whilst the answer may not be clear for years, we can be certain that Steve Jobs has left his mark on the world. Just as we remember the achievements of the innovators and industrialists of the past, so future generations will laud the contribution Jobs made on Technology and Retailing in our present.

iMac Advert



Original iPod advert



Apple Rainbow logo

Andrew

Iconic Images 18

Today is the tenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre and the non-ideologically Islamist world. It may be cliché but the events of that day really did change the way we see the world.

As well as the image of the two stricken towers in flames but still standing, I've also included a picture of the memorial now occupying the site of the tragedy in tribute to the almost 3000 people who died in the various attacks.

 

There is more on the Memorial here.

Andrew

Iconic Images 17

This latest in my occassional Iconic Images series features two film posters - A Clockwork Orange and Jaws:

Andrew

Iconic Images 16

For this entry in the Iconic Images strand, I've chosen Leonardo da Vinci's study of the proportions of the human body - the Vitruvian Man - created around 1487. The name is derived from that of a classical architect - Vitruvius - who argued that the human figure was the source for proportions used in classical architecture.

Of course, where there's an icon, there's bound to be other versions, such as this, featuring a certain Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle:

Vitruvian Man Da Vinci Tribute by ~shaungent on deviantART

and this, which features a certain Mr Simpson, a resident of Springfield:

and finally, from the eighties, we have the opening credits of World in Action. Ah, the days when ITV could produce in depth documentaries!

As ever, enjoy!!

Andrew

Iconic Images 15

For the lastest in my Iconic Images series, I've gone for three classic adverts - Bisto, Pears Soap and Guinness:

Andrew

Iconic Images 14

It's always a temptation on Red Nose Day to focus on the Comic rather than the Relief but doing so does an injustice to those whose vision was to use comedy to raise funds to help those who need it both here and in Africa.

To that end, I've decided to post this video of Michael Buerk reporting on the Ethiopian famine of 1984. This is the news report that inspired first Band Aid, then Live Aid and, ultimately, Comic Relief.

While the challenges have changed, the need is still there. Please consider giving to Comic Relief - you can do so here.

Andrew

Iconic Images 13

This week, Space Shuttle Discovery docked with the International Space Station on it's 39th and final mission - one of the last by a NASA Space Shuttle before all the remaining vessels are decommissioned. Discovery flew its first mission in 1984 and is the eldest of the three craft still in service. When it is retired only Endeavour and Atlantis will remain active before they, too, are retired later this year when Atlantis flys the 135th mission in June.

The unspoken truth in the talk of the ending of the Space Shuttle programme is that, in addition to furthering our knowledge of Space and exploring our galactic surroundings, it has been tainted by tragedy and the cost of 14 lives. The Challenger disaster of January 28th 1986 (just over 25  years ago) and 2003's Columbia disaster both claimed 7 lives.

As the era of the Shuttle draws to an end, I've chosen this picture of the Challenger disaster as  a reminder of the cost of human exploration of Space and the latest in the Iconic Images series:

Andrew

Iconic Images 12 - World AIDS Day

This post in the Iconic Images series pics up on the UK's response to the spread of age in the late eighties through Public Health broadcasts, leaflets and billboard posters:

The gravestone image was the basis of the television campaign:

Finally, a question which is still relevant today:

Andrew

Iconic Images 11

Following on from Marilyn Monroe last time, I've decided to feature two more Screen Sirens. First up: Ursula Andress in Dr. No.

My second choice, rather obviously, is Halle Berry in Die Another Day with a homage to Andress:

Andrew

Iconic Images 10

The latest in my Iconic Images series is the famous Marilyn Monroe scene from The Seven Year Itch:

Andrew

Marxist Hero or Capitalist Marketing tool?

A while back I posted a picture of Che Guevara in my "Iconic Images" strand. Today, Stephen has posted a link to a picture of "Cher Guevara" on his blog today.

Cher is not alone in being portrayed in this way - many others have, as you can see from the selection below:

Kylie Guevara

Che Madonna

Gervais Guevara

It's not just Musicians and Comedians at it either:

Christ Guevara

Cherry Guevara

And one to make you chuckle:

Che Gue-Thatcher

For more on the iconic image of Che Guevara, see this micro-site for the V&A's 2006 exhibition all about it.

Andrew

Iconic Images 9

As a child I didn't have a television, so I've had to learn a lot of the cultural references that many people of my age take for granted. One of these is the famous Levi Jeans advert staring Nick Kaman. My ignorance aside, though, this is an iconic (moving) image of the mid-eighties.

Enjoy!

Andrew

Iconic Images 8

I spotted this in the background of a scene on Sherlock last night. Reminds me of going swimming as a kid, before I knew what "petting" was!

Andrew

Iconic Images 7

I've chosen another two classic album covers for the latest Iconic Images post - this time Madonna's True Blue from the 80's and Blur's 1994 album, Parklife.




Andrew

Iconic Images 6

I've chosen two Album sleeves for this entry in the Iconic Images series. I'm not going to add anything as they have enough cultural resonance to speak for themselves.

The Beatles' Abbey Road:


Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon:


Andrew

Iconic Images 5

Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh is one of the few books I've preferred in other mediums, both the play, which is incredibly powerful theatre and the film, which is a fantastic adaption, with brilliant direction, a fantastic soundtrack and great acting.


The poster of an emaciated Ewan McGregor with it's stark orange border was one of the most striking images of 1996. Another poster, featuring Renton's monologue from the film, graced the walls of many a student:

Andrew

Iconic Images 4

In a break from images related to war and conflict, I've chosen the (in)famous advert for Wonderbra featuring Eva Herzigova. First published in 1994, the adverts became iconic of the 90s and regularly features in lists of the best advertising campaigns ever.

Andrew

Iconic Images 3

It seems that a number of the images in this series are, or will be, war related, although I make no apology about that. I've chosen two contrasting images for this entry - Neville Chamberlain proclaiming "peace in our time" after signing the Munich Agreement with Hitler in 1938 and Winston Churchill giving the V for Victory sign some 7 years later.

Andrew