Myths...

Roland Barthes was an artist which particularly focused on myths, myths of society, culture, aspirations. He makes us look at the things we accept as being normal and natural; reflecting upon the things we take for granted, the things which happen daily. Overall unmasking the signs, symbols and signals of language of the mass culture and commenting on how unrealistic these myths really are.

Myths are unchallenged beliefs, invented stories, ideas and concepts. Barthes wanted to challenge beliefs and myths that had become believable within society and reveal signs and symbols of mass cultural language.
 

This is one of Roland Barthes images: it’s about the French colonialism in Nigeria - sends a political message, things have been completely filtered out.  Entailing the idea of myths that everything was okay and this was reality when in fact it is a complete contradiction to what was going on.


Below I will talk about how myths have become such an influential part of our lives; through advertising, packaging and overall consumerism. The aspects which make us subconsciously allow us to trust in a brand/people and what they claim to do.

In cleaning products there are several myths, but mostly in soap adverts/packaging  there are some of the most expressive in myths, entailing things from cleanliness, natural, life enriching properties to spirit cleansing and making you wild. Some of the craziest allegations to a simple bar of soap! Its not just the imagery on them and the words written but also the packaging itself gives a particular property to the soap; e.g. corrugated card, brown paper, string, hessian all suggest natural substances, creating an organic, pure myth. Instantly its adds value, and expensive handcrafted look which we find desirable and buy into.

In advertising of the beauty department is where we can find myths are most used, enforcing that their product creates purity and perfection. This which makes several of us women/men buy into the products but also influence what we strive to be like in society. The myths with the intention of making people to strive for the same glamorous look that is communicated on the advertisements.
Air brushing images creates that unrealistic image and myth of beauty which all men and women strive for. Several of these ‘myth’ holding imagery which have been obviously airbrushed have been banned; due to the misleading and over exaggerating the ability of the products.

Overall it is clear to say almost everything can make a suggestion and it is so inspiring to see the amount of myths that are hidden in the everyday objects/ advertisements; whether it is about outstanding complexion to cleanliness, life enhancement and magical properties it holds.  All encouraging us to buy into that particular brand or product over others. Whether these myths are but into practice ten years ago or today it is clear to say that myths are one of the most powerful forms of enforcement to believing into a brand/product.