Following inspiration from an unlikely source, it is clear that what needs to be depicted; what needs to be represented and painted is LEADERSHIP and HISTORY.
A uniform is more than bureaucratic, it is armour; a shield; from those that elect or impeach a someone to uphold certain principles and values dear to their parties or governments of society.
An interesting piece of an on-line article published on Saturday 8 September 2012 introduced the figurehead Pedro I of Brazil (b. 1798 d. 1834), the founder and first ruler of the Empire of Brazil. It sounds strange to read “founder and first ruler of the Empire …” in this day and age, does it not? For how often does someone still manage to create an Empire and how long can it last? How long does it last?
In the example of Nicholas II of Russia (b. 1868 d. 1918), last Emperor of Russia, Grand Duke of Finland and titular King of Poland, it is a case where one is able to witness the loss of power rather than it’s creation, compared to Pedro I of Brazil.
But placing the two case studies together, is one reminded of the working-class Red October Revolution that shook the world in 10 days and brought about a Proletariat Utopia? Is the execution of the Russian Romanov royal family mourned behind each remaining artifact and remnant? Or is a pop culture example of uniform/costume as armour in the role of LEADERSHIP required? It just might be…
The popular American cult film PULP FICTION (1994, directed by Quentin Tarantino, Miramax Films) co-stars actor Bruce Willis (b. 1955) as an aging prizefighting boxer who in one particular scene, is wearing his ceremonial fighting robe. With it’s elegant colours of gold and black, Willis bears the robe as his character Butch Coolidge, appearing vaguely proud and having just awakened from a reverie, where he was granted responsibility for a gold watch belonging to generations of Coolidge men. This quick scene, thanks to it’s cinematography and wardrobe, encapsulates a vision of the director to present costume as symbolic armour.
Similarly; although only one pop culture reference was to be used as an example; the film MILLION DOLLAR BABY (2004, directed by Clint Eastwood, Lakeshore Entertainment/Malpaso Productions) features it’s leading actress Hilary Swank (b. 1974) playing a boxer whose robes (whilst on a European tour) bear the very Irish colours of green and white, and the nickname “Mo Chuisle” meaning “my darling, and my blood”.
Boxing, popular culture and historical former world leaders: what is the connection? Probably none. After all, “the author is dead” (1967, Roland Barthes) but streams of murky and clear water in rivers are capable of being joined.
However, returning to the topics first presented at the beginning of this post, is the notion of being elected into office/power, and serving the people. They possess the real authority to place and remove those that think of themselves at the top of the pyramid whereas in fact those at the bottom govern control silently and patiently, waiting for the day that they are needed and will be called upon to do right.
