The Self

Liza Tilakdhari

Self I as Image

Prof. Doris Cacoilo

April 17, 2017

                                               

Despite popular opinion that we as humans copy what we see and that’s the only way a person can have a personality that’s worthwhile is through imitation, we can invent ourselves. Self-invention is what happens when we as humans decide to break from societal chains of internalized constructs that focuses on “acceptable” appearances and personalities, and become a person completely fueled by our own thoughts and feelings and notions of self. Our thoughts and feelings can only be stimulated by what is around us. Our surroundings include the mass medias that are dished out to us daily. These images that we see, help to shape our opinions of ourselves and the world. John Berger says that: “The way we see things is affected by what we know or what we believe.” (Ways Of Seeing , Berger. Pg.7) It is most times unavoidable to let the images we see daily not affect us. The media is selling us an ideal image, a lifestyle and a culture to aspire to. These images are often misconstrued and altered in many ways, so that when we as the consumer try to achieve what we see, the perfection is completely unattainable, and forces us into a cycle of determination to achieve these unrealistic notions of self.

It is true that a photo is worth a thousand words. Photos have helped to mold our culture. Image is a very powerful thing in this world that we live in. An image can make or break a reputation. It is important as an individual to be cautious of the image that we place into the world. Only we have control of how the world sees us. We can conform to social constructs and portray an image that society wants to see, or you can create your own personal image. When we create an image of ourselves, we take bits and pieces of our surroundings to do so. Our surroundings include the various social media platforms, art which ranges from music, books, photos and even movies. All of fore mentioned encompass different images and perceptions of self. Images that can be misconstrued, directly imitated or even be used as inspiration. But the most powerful thing to think about when you are molding your image for the world, is the fact that you have all the power in your hands. You get to choose what dark crevice and which rainbow in your soul you’ll expose.  As Mentioned in “The Art of Self Invention” by Joan Finklestein: “At minimum the self is bifurcated, it has a double; there is the conscious and unconscious, private and public, civilized and base, good and bad, and we can create ourselves as well rounded beings from the management of these seemingly opposed elements.” (The Art of Self Invention. Finkelstein pg. 126) You have the power, you are the seller, you are selling an image of yourself for the world’s consumption. Most people when creating an image for the world, often use the lifestyles portrayed in popular culture to sell themselves. They are artist like Andy Warhol who helped to fuel this. His works focused on selling an ideal lifestyle for people to live up to, it was a life of wealth and glamour. They are the countless social media platforms that influence this as well. They are people on their who gain popularity and envy over false images of their selves, thoroughly modified physical traits, and a fake personality becomes the ideal personality for everyone to aspire to. It is sometimes unavoidable to not internalize a lot of these negative images that are portrayed to us.  “Society comes into existence because we will it, sociability emerges from our consciousness and actions, it is manufactured from sustained attention to the fulfillment of duty, obligation the pursuit of pleasures and a sense of reciprocity. (The art of self-Invention, Finklestein. Pg. 136) But as I mentioned before, the power is in our hands. We get to choose, we choose what the people see, we get to choose if to sell a desired worldly image, or a wholesome image that encompasses your true lifestyle and personality.

There are other artists as Ana Mendietta and Frida Kahlo, that each focused on the raw vulnerability of the self, both put images of pain, self-evolution and embracing of the self into the world, their works helped people such as myself to embrace everything, every ounce of pain and happiness that makes me who I am. It is thoroughly possible for us as human beings to create an image of ourselves, an image was never given to us. But it is up to us to decide what that image should be, only us can choose the light that we want the world to see us in.

Readings: Ways Of Seeing by John Berger and The Art of Self Invention by Joanne Finkelstein