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Apocrypha: The Resurrected Portraits of Contemporary Political Indoctrination

 

Political indoctrination is often used to maintain the status quo in several countries. The strategy leads people to accept the legitimacy of authoritarian leaders without resistance. Opposing the government's views may lead to dire consequences. 

Apocrypha refers to biblical literature not included in the Catholic canon; similarly, the Apocrypha series conveys sentiments not generally discussed. The series expresses the metaphorical ideas of forbiddances, consequences, and disillusions in contemporary indoctrination. The author combines religious iconography with spiritual symbolism to characterize the artwork; the faceless Madonna suggests an idea of the motherland; rather than white doves, ravens are used to symbolize unobtainable freedom. The four images center around four concepts: 

1.      Freedom incarceration: Many countries restrict freedom of expression and opinion. The image depicts the idea using ravens imprisoned inside Madonna's face as a metaphor. 

2.      Educational indoctrination: The ideology ingrained in children through education shapes their doctrine as adults. The author communicates the concept by replacing Madonna's face with a caged brain stabbed by ice swords suggesting unalterable beliefs. 

3.      Revelation: Global exposure gradually eradicates imprinted ideology. The picture delineates Madonna's face covered with numerous eyeballs, denoting the political awakening. 

4.      Disenchantment: The last image depicts two Madonnas in the Pietà pose, one with a bleeding heart. A raven drinking her black blood illustrates the victory of liberty over ideology.

The author's art blends societal issues with computer graphics emulating the works of old masters. The images are created digitally in advanced 3D software called 3dsMax and printed on canvas.

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Keywords: VISUALIZATION, DIGITAL IMAGE TECHNIQUES, ART PRACTICES