Friday, October 16, 2009


I went to the World Press Photo exhibition recently and I wasn't dissapointed it was actually quite interesting. I had to do this next thing for school,but I think everyone should take a look at it.

The photograph that I chose at the World Press Photo exhibition was that of a young Angolan fashion designer. The title of this picture is Focus Photo und Press Agentur. The photo was taken by a Brazilian named AndrĂ© Vieira. The photo is of designer Shunnoz Fiel who is part of a new generation of individuals in his country interested in design and fashion. The picture depicts him sitting on a green briefcase in front of a rack of cloths while holding several books on his lap. As the picture description explains, he is part of a generation that is profiting from the newly acquired “peace” in Angola along with its oil based economic boom. Angola over the past quarter century has been involved in bloody civil war ever since the country received its independence from Portugal in 1975. This short paper will examine how the World Press Photo takes the story of the young Angolan Fashion designer depicts Angola’s relation with common themes of the 20th century. These common themes include fights for independence, civil war and economic success.
As previously mentioned, Angola received its independence in 1975. Decolonization and independence are major themes in the 20th century. The Portuguese had control of Angola for almost five hundred years before letting go of it. During this time span the small Portuguese population ruled over the larger African population. The elite would often take advantage of the weak. An example of this would be forced labour even though slavery had already been abolished. When the breaking point of colonialism arrived the first independence movement occurred in 1961. By 1975 Angola had managed independence from Portugal. This is a theme that is heard loudly in the 20th century. The most famous case for independence comes from India and Gandhi’s non-violent protest movement against the British. The decolonization of countries and territories may have hurt the power of the colonists, but it gave new hope to those who were freed. This is depicted by Shunnoz following his interests in fashion and not being suppressed to do what the colonists have approved to be appropriate for the people of his country.
Civil war is a common theme throughout history in its entirety. Some of the most famous examples of civil war are that of Julius Caesar’s march on Rome and the war fought between the Union and the Confederacy for America in 1861. Civil wars of the 20th century include the Russian Revolution and the Chinese civil war that put Mao Zedong into power. The civil war fought in Angola was a product of an already ongoing war between the two superpowers of the time, the United States and the Soviet Union. The three groups fighting each other reflected the cold war and even though they had done their share in achieving independence for Angola, they could not coincide. The MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola) took control of the country in 1975. They were backed by the communist States of Cuba and Russia while after the dissolve of the FNLA (National Front for the Liberation of Angola) only UNITA (National Union for the Total Independence of Angola) was left as opposition. Before it fell the FNLA was supported by the United States and now UNITA, the sole opposition, was supported by South Africa. The civil war went on until it came to an official end in 2002. The war lowered the quality of life in Angola for 27 years. That is why the picture of an Angolan fashion designer is so powerful. Being able to enjoy the luxuries of the first world is a privilege that he and his generation are experiencing for the first time in his country.
The last reason that Shunnoz’s picture in World Photo Press is representative of Angola’s relation with common themes of the 20th century is the economic boom his country has experienced. Angola’s major economic growth over the past decade can be attributed to the oil production that accounts for 85% of its national GDP. Beforehand, during the country’s colonial period it was known as one of the major food exporters in Africa. The transition of industrialization and development is a common theme during the twentieth century. Two premium examples would be India and China, which after they gained complete control of their respective governments began economic development. It is evident that when a country’s economy become more successful the standard of living rises for most of the population. Economic expansion is another common theme in the twentieth century. The most prominent example is the United States. With the exception of the stock market crash of 1929 and the depression that followed it, the United States has been overwhelmingly successful economically. The country is seen by many, including themselves, as setting the bar for the standard of living. Angola’s economic success allows its people to follow a standard of living somewhat similar to that of a first world country. This allows individuals like Shunnoz for example, to follow their dreams and enter into the fashion industry.
In conclusion, the picture of Shunnoz Fiel sitting on a brief case in front of some simple cloths says much to the viewer. It has much to say about how Angola’s recent history is tied in with general 20th century history. The story of independence from Portugal is one that many countries around the world have experienced; the civil war is a misfortunate event that many other nations have had to go through and the economic turnaround is the mark of progress that others have aspired for in the twentieth century. This short paper has examined examine how the World Press Photo takes the story of the young Angolan Fashion designer depicts Angola’s relation with common themes of the 20th century.