Blog One: Bansky Image

Image number two is an image that was created by none other than the mysterious Banksy. Typically, Banksy’s images have a political message either about war, the economy, or the government. All of his images can be found on the walls of buildings, such as this one. This particular image is of a white dove with its wings spread, a small green plant in its beak, and it is wearing what appears to be a bullet proof vest. On the dove’s chest is a red, cross target as someone aims a gun or weapon at it. The overall political message of the image is that because of war, innocent, and unexpected people are being murdered or targeted as enemies. It’s ironic that the dove is being made the target in this image, because doves are typically seen as very innocent creatures. They are thought of as being gentle birds that pose as no threat to humanity. Also, the color of a dove is symbolic in itself. White is a color that is usually associated with purity, holiness, good or innocent. But of course, the use of this bird in the image was intentional, because it was meant to represent the innocent people of the world. The dove also seems to be oblivious to the fact that it is being targeted as an enemy. The graceful bird seems to be looking directly towards the person who is aiming at it, yet it is completely unaware that it has been labeled as the foe. This perhaps could mean that the person with the gun is someone with whom the dove is familiar and trusts; otherwise it would not appear to be so calm at the face of death. Then again, the bird is wearing a bullet proof vest, which could imply that it is not so oblivious to the danger in which it faces, and that the person for whom it is a target could very well be a complete stranger. But because the dove is wearing a bullet proof vest, it still continues to feel not threatened. Assuming that is the case, then the gray bullet proof vest on the dove represents the false sense of security the dove feels. In reality, if a machine gun is being fired at a small, fragile human, or in this case, a dove, chances are it will not survive, even if it is under some form of protection. And that false sense of security or protection can come in the form of promises, bullet proof vests or even another human being, but the bottom line is that the innocent are not always physically well guarded, even if that is what they are told or believe. They make easy targets, and often times during war are murdered simply because they are vulnerable. Their military can not always be there to protect them, even if that is their job. The message of this image goes beyond just the fact that the innocent are targets during war times; it shows that the innocent can not always be protected and are sadly more susceptible to be targets during war.