Communication through Comics and Fashion
Response to excerpt of Durkheim’s “Sociological method”:
In simpler terms, the author was saying that the theories we take as mutually incompatible (in this case, objectivism and subjectivism, mechanilism and finalism, and structural necessity and individual agency) serve to help us understand “human practice.”
The basic gist of it seems to be, "We need to forget our preconceptions about how we perceive reality and recognize that all people perceive it uniquely.” It is because each individual has varying influences in their lives that each person has their own “truth,” and acts differently. Put simply, there is no universal “truth” which can be applied to everyone.
This is relevant to my personal comic/graphic novel work, because my visuals and storytelling are meant as communication between the myself and the reader.
From the most basic symbols I use (word balloons, panel transitions, and other commonly understood graphical conventions in comics) to the actual artwork and overarching storyline, everything I put into my comics requires some assumption on my part about the reader. Depending on where they come from, for example, they may not read from left to right, but right to left. Some readers may not understand the significance of a particular color transition I use, even if I have put much thought into it. Still other readers might not know the mythological references I am making and thus completely miss their relevancy. I have to assume that most readers WILL understand the choices I make, if they are important. In other cases, I leave them as “Easter eggs” for the few readers who will notice and recognize those inclusions.
I can only lead a reader to the best of my ability and hope they receive the message I communicate, but I have no guarantee of what their personal reactions to it will be. Their understanding of my story relies on their own associations and perceptions, regardless of what I present.
For example, it’s interesting to note that although my main comic project for the last two years has been about an immaculately pregnant nun, I have never received a single complaint from a Catholic regarding my story. Surprisingly, I’ve received many emails to the contrary- apparently I have many Catholic readers!
But recently, I accidentally sparked anger among a different denomination in my readership. I began a storyline which explicates the nun’s history with witches; my intent was to introduce the witches first from the nun’s biased, propagandist view, before eventually showing the reality- that neither side is “evil;” both sides believe they are fighting for a just cause. But instead of seeing the fictional nun’s opinions as propaganda, some of my Wiccan readers jumped to the conclusion that I personally hate modern-day witches and was using my comic as a vehicle to promote this hate. Clearly, my assumption that my readers would understand that my opinion is not necessarily shared by all my characters was too optimistic. However, given that most religious-themed stories ARE rather didactic, I was not completely surprised by their reaction.
I’ve started to put disclaimers up now to remind people that the views of my characters are not necessarily mine, and that my story isn’t intended as a lecture on morality or religion- it’s simply presenting some food for thought, hopefully in an entertaining and visually appealing way. But despite my best efforts, I realize that given the nature of my story, it is bound to provoke many different reactions my incredibly varied, international and multicultural readers- That is the beauty of online publishing! And thanks to the comments they leave, our communication is not one-sided as it would be with a printed material- their feedback and interpretations of my work are important and highly educational for me. And hopefully, both my world views and those of my readers will be positively changed through this fictional story.
I’ve explained how Durkeim’s exerpt relates to my personal work, but it also has interesting applications to fashion. As discussed in our first class, fashion outlets are not only selling clothes- they are selling a lifestyle. They want a consumer to buy into the idea that purchasing new clothes will purchase them a new reality- and that other people will recognize this reality.
Just as fashion outlets have specific target consumers for their products, a person who wears their products has a specific audience who will most understand their fashion’s statement. Certain choices will inspire positive reactions from a certain group, but negative reactions from another.
If we are trying to appeal to a particular demographic, we try to appeal to them based on our own assumptions of their tastes. Likewise, if one wants to stand out and be provocative, they will consciously choose something unusual and unconventional. If we don’t care what anyone thinks and wear whatever is lying around, that also shows and says something about us. Every choice one makes about their clothing- be it conscious or unconscious- is personal statement. However, how others interpret this statement can vary drastically.
Let’s take my favorite example, Lady Gaga. From meat-dresses to telephone-shaped hair, there is no limit to what she will do in the name of fashion statements. Both her fans and haters can agree that her fashion choices inspire provocation. But only those who really think about the message and listen to her explanations about them can begin understand the ideas behind her strange outfits. Even then, there is no absolute meaning to them, they remain open to personal interpretation. Nonsensical attention-whoring, or powerful metaphors? Depends on who you ask. There is no universal truth.