Sixties women reading.
I don't know why this idea flew into my head, but I wonder what goes into an "iconic pose." Certainly the clothes play a part. And it's usually a celebrity. But the position of the body itself plays a
big part. Here a
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I always liked the images of James Bond, standing with one leg cocked, his gun pointing up near his head. On the comics side of things, Superman standing with hands on hips is certainly iconic. And I can never forget some of moves Michael Jackson made back in the early 80s that have now become code for him. Notably the "Thriller" stance with your hands as claws.
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ReplyDeleteYou were right, Frank. I don't think it was a pose. We just thought of it like that after a while.
ReplyDeleteScott, couldn't find the definitive Jackson one.
Ernest was suggested by Craig McDonald.
Rockabilly Singer Ersel Hickey's photo with him holding the guitar like a machine gun is one of my faves ... and I think that lighting is an under rated element of the image that becomes Iconic.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe I've ever really thought about "iconic" poses. You're right. These are all kind of in our unconscious, but why? Does it date me and prove that I'm a man to say that the Farrah one is the one I remember best?
ReplyDeleteThat was the second one I though of. John Travolta was first.
ReplyDeleteThe Betty Grable pose is one that had an impact on my mother's generation. When I went through a box of old photos I found pictures of her and her sisters and friends in various pin-up poses and I wondered how many of the boys from their small town carried copies of those pictures during the war. Which makes me wonder if its not so much the pose but what it signifies about the times or the person.
ReplyDeletei've always dug the image of joe strummer from his solo album EARTHQUAKE WEATHER. later, after his death 5 years ago, the image of joe became the icon for the Strummerville Foundation supporting young, struggling musicians.
ReplyDeleteLet me ring in from the world of sports. In the NBA logo is the silhouette of Jerry West, Laker great, dribbling at an angle.
ReplyDeleteFrom the male perspective, the photo of Rita Hayworth at this link is a little more memorable:
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Thanks for the great icons, guys. I couldn't find the right one of MJ, but ain't google images grand.
ReplyDeleteSandra-good observation. Travolta would look ridiculous in that getup today. They are all embalmed to some extent.
ReplyDeleteAli standing over Liston with his gloved fist waist high at the end of a swing.
ReplyDeleteJohn Lennon crossing Abbey Road in his all white suit, hands thrust deeply in his front pockets.
Moe pulling Curly by the nose with a pair of pliers.
My personal favorite, even if it does date me: The Beatles crossing Abbey Road.
ReplyDeleteThe very bottom picture at this site
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cayf.org/about_person.php
The John Carlos and Tommie Smith black power salute at the 1968 olympics
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