Guy Fawkes in the 21st Century. A Contribution to the Political Iconography of Revolt

Kohns, Oliver

Reference : Guy Fawkes in the 21st Century. A Contribution to the Political Iconography of Revolt


	Document type :	Scientific journals : Article
	Discipline(s) :	Arts & humanities : Multidisciplinary, general & others
	To cite this reference:	http://hdl.handle.net/10993/2691

Title :	Guy Fawkes in the 21st Century. A Contribution to the Political Iconography of Revolt
Language :	English
Author, co-author :	Kohns, Oliver [University of Luxembourg > Faculty of Language and Literature, Humanities, Arts and Education (FLSHASE) > Identités, Politiques, Sociétés, Espaces (IPSE) >]
Publication date :	2013
Journal title :	Image and Narrative: Online Magazine of the Visual Narrative
Publisher :	Open Humanities Press
Volume :	14
Issue/season :	1
Pages :	89-103
Peer reviewed :	Yes
Audience :	International
ISSN :	1780-678X
Keywords :	[en] political revolt ; visual culture ; Guy Fawkes mask
Abstract :	[en] The article analyzes the symbolism of the Guy Fawkes mask, which has achieved a global visibility in the protest movement “Occupy” around 2010. Being taken from the movie “V for Vendetta” (USA 2006), which adapts the comic “V for Vendetta”, the mask performs a complex interplay between pop culture and political protest. By wearing the Fawkes mask and by blowing up the British parliament, a re-appropriation of political representation for the people is demanded in the film. Thus, the Guy Fawkes mask symbolizes a genuinely democratic desire. However, the political symbolism of uprising develops a disturbing affinity towards totalitarism at the same time.
	[fr] Cet article examine la signification symbolique du masque de Guy Fawkes, qui a obtenu une visibilité globale en 2010 dans le mouvement de protestation “Occupy”. Le masque de Guy Fawkes ayant été repris au film V for Vendetta (USA 2006) et à la bande dessinée V for Vendetta dont celui-ci est l’adaptation, son usage s’inscrit dans un jeu complexe mêlant culture pop et protestation politique. Dans le film, par le port du masque et la destruction du parlement britannique, une réappropriation de la représentation politique par le peuple est demandée. Le masque de Guy Fawkes symbolise ainsi un véritable désir démocratique. En même temps, le symbolisme politique de l’insurrection présente une affinité inquiétante avec le totalitarisme.
Research centres :	IPSE
Funders :	Fonds National de la Recherche - FnR
Name of the research project :	F3R-IPS-PFN-10AT01 > Aesthetical Figurations of the Political in the postnational > 01/01/2011 - 31/12/2015 > KOHNS Oliver
Target :	Researchers ; Professionals ; Students ; General public
Permalink :	http://hdl.handle.net/10993/2691

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