Barbara Kruger
  Untitled 1982
The juxtaposition of word and image in Barbara Kruger's highly recognizable work is derived from twelve years as a designer and photo editor for Conde Nast publications. Short, pithy caption-like copy is scattered over fragmented and enlarged photographs appropriated from various media. Usually declarative or accusatory in tone, these phrases posit an opposition between the pronouns "you" and "we," which satirically refer to "men" and "women." These humorous works suspend the viewer between the fascination of the image and the indictment of the text while reminding us that language and its use within culture to construct and maintina proverbs, jobs, jokes, myths, and history reinforce the interests and perspective of those who control it ((Day 69). (--Cf. John Berger's Ways of Seeing Chap 3.; Craig Owen, "The Discourse of Others," The Anti-Aesthetic. Ed. Hal Foster. pp. 65-90.
(the works without page number are post-card reproductions).
1. critique/challenge of objectification of women
 Untitled, 1981 Photograph by Barbara Kruger |
 Untitled 1981 |
 Untitled 1988 51.5 x 68.5 (Day 66) |
 Untitled 1982 |
 Untitled 1981 |
 Untitled 1982 |
II. Critique/challenge of male power (supported by patriarchal discourses)
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