Iconic Realism from the 19th Century to the 21st Century: Help to Devastated Areas

Sydney Owenson (Lady Morgan)

Writers such as Sydney Owenson have had the opportunity to incorporate human experience in their art by tapping into the consciousness of humanity on multiple sensory levels. In her 1840 book, Woman and Her Master, Owenson makes the following observation: 

The acquirement of a physical elevation, in expanding the sphere of vision, and opening new and vast regions to the sense, obscures and diminishes the individual details comprehended in its grasp; so that intellectual and moral elevation, which has opened to the mind’s eye the wider fields of scientific research and of social combination, has caused the relative value of the smaller facts presented to its apprehension to be either overlooked, or mistaken. (WHM, p. 15)

Owenson’s writing demonstrates my semiotic theory of iconic realism as a means to enlighten her readers to the possibilities of making positive change happen with their own lives and possibly those within their communities by linking the sensory paths of consciousness with appropriate and positive action. 

Often, this can occur when one uses a particularly negative situation, places a positive force within that scene to bring attention to a need for transformation. Currently, this is evident in the area devastated by Hurricane Helene. Many grass-roots organizations have been actively engaged in helping the individuals in the Southeast United States. Where are the so-called beneficial government forces? Nowhere to be seen. Iconic realism at its best. Those who actually care can be seen helping, working, making positive change in the midst of devastation. I think Sydney Owenson would be pleased with the local, grass-roots organizations. 

Here is one such organization, bringing supplies to those in need:

https://www.theyallsquad.org/donate

Locals help each other in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. 

Photo from Google Images 

'Global Water Foundation and Iconic Realism (Click onto this title to see and hear video

Thumbnail photo from YouTube video

While the Southeastern United States has been deluged with excessive amounts of water, there are other parts of the country that have been struggling with drought conditions. That seems to be  the way with natural climate patterns. Climate change is not a modern phenomenon. On the contrary, our beautiful planet's climate has been changing for millions of years. Let's look at one current  method of dealing with the changes that occur, particularly those changes associated with drought. 

An effective way for public service organizations to reach the public is through a multi-sensory approach. Such is the case with the Global Water Foundation. To bring awareness of water shortages throughout the world, this organization once created a brief, poignant film using iconic realism as a way to elucidate for its audience this grave ecological issue. In this brief film, the iconic image of a whale leaping out of the desert sand focuses the audience's attention o the increasingly devastating diminution of potable water worldwide.  

Hellelil and Hildebrand, Meeting on the Turret Stairs by Frederic William Burton and Iconic Realism

Hellelil and Hildebrand, Meeting on the Turret Stairs, 
painting by Frederic William Burton

Frederic William Burton was born in County Clare, Ireland in 1816. In his painting, Hellelil and Hildebrand, Meeting on the Turret Stairs, Burton depicts the medieval Danish ballad of two lovers, Helleilil and Hildebrand, a princess and a soldier, who meet in secret for a final embrace.  Here, Burton illustrates iconic realism in this richly hued watercolor as he places Helleilil in iconic royal blue with her back facing the audience. He links the arm of the soldier, dressed in a foreshadowing red, with that of the princess. Both heads held low, Burton intertwines the two lovers on a turret staircase. We cannot see which way they are moving, almost as if time has been stilled in this embrace. We would normally not see this kind of meeting represented with such vivid hue, but with iconic realism, this blatant use of color brings awareness to the audience of a possible disconnect between the aristocracy and military.