Audiences can perceive different signs, symbols and messages in various ways because of their ideology, culture and up-bringing etc. Although some messages can be purposely made to have multiple layers of meaning, some are just created to be straight forward to understand. Some media can be seen as the blame for our social issues and how we contribute in today’s society.

In this case;

The complex image found in the project of ‘Women are hero’s’ by JR, a French graffiti artist and photographer whose identity is still unknown communicates the commitment, freedom, identity and limit and mixes art and act in his works. 

JR pays tribute to those who play an essential role in society but who are the primary victims of war, crime, rape and political or religious fanaticism. JR pasted huge photos of the faces and eyes of local women all over the outside of the favela, suddenly giving a female gaze to both the hill and the favela.

JR has been both inspired and influenced by the world, which has motivated him to travel to Europe to meet those who express themselves on walls and facades, and pasted their portraits in the streets, undergrounds and rooftops of Paris. JR travels all over the world to communicate issues that are present there. JR gets up and close with his subject to capture the fine details to communicate his desired messages.

JR utilises the Lasswell’s communication model has he, the communicator depicts a message, in this case the local woman who have been affected by war, crime, rape etc. JR has successfully expressed this through the medium of both various graffiti techniques and photography which is then passed onto the receiver, in this case the greater society resulting in an emotional response towards the large- scale commercial works.

JR communicates the uprising issues in certain countries by taking close up portraits of the people that are present in that area and have been affected by these issues. JR does this to get an emotional response from the viewers.

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JR successfully highlights how bold and impactful images can be read in multiple ways for individuals due to their culture, up -bringing, and their human behaviour etc. Now all that is left is, how do you read this message?

References:

• JR – Artist. (n.d.). Women Are Heroes – Brazil. [online] Available at: https://www.jr-art.net/projects/women-are-heroes-brazil [Accessed 4 Apr. 2019].

• Fitzgerald, M. (2012). Women Are Heroes by JR and Marc Berrebi – review. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2012/apr/22/women-are-heroes-jr-photography-review [Accessed 4 Apr. 2019].
• Colom, F. (n.d.). Women Are Heroes by JR. [online] more than green. Available at: http://www.morethangreen.es/en/women-are-heroes-by-jr/ [Accessed 4 Apr. 2019].