VISUAL HISTORY—2-3 pagesASSIGNMENT: Research and document the “history” of an image of your choice in 2-3 double-spaced pages. Up to this point in the semester, we’ve focused on how visual representations are constructed (i.e. how their meaning is created through the use of formal elements, signs, and symbols) and how and why they circulate through society. We’ve discussed at length how images communicate with other images in the world, both past and present. Visual representation can be manipulated, programmed, and distributed with various political, social, or cultural intent. In this assignment, you are asked to trace the history of an image. This means looking at it closely, identifying its formal properties and noticing any sign systems or symbolic content. Once you’ve identified that the image has been carefully created to communicate a specific message, you must then try and determine where this communication came from. Who made this image and why? Is the image referring to any other types of images from the past or present? Who benefits from others seeing this image? How do we trace the way an image moves in the world, starting with its creator and ending with us, the viewer?