[Opinion] Power of Image.

Everybody is experiencing `power of image `as full scale consumer society is getting introduced.

So many ADs image, photos, movie, TV, video image, which are being poured, arouses our visual and auditory senses and dominates our thought and imagination.

We live in its influence everyday, without being conscious of the fact of the image, how it operates, how we should consume it.

Media that is being expanded day by day due to development of high technology maximize power of image.

We all know that AD creates its efficiency by operating image.

The weight of AD is becoming heavier in the area of sale and consumption, and the word of `Marketing` has become keyword in most of our social life.

` Image management ` is most important not only in entertainment field which makes profit through image, but also in politics.

It is prior to anything else whether politician shows positive image or negative image and the matter whether his political judgment or choice is right or not lies behind it.

Image is said to arise from `image in mind` which we remember and imagine, to visible subject, which exists in our eyes, therefore, it is hard to define it and it doesn`t stay only in visible dimensions.

The word of impression tells us comprehensive aspect, whole face of image which has ambiguous border like this.

`Good impression`, `bad impression` and `positive image`, negative image` has same meaning.

However, we, sometimes, doubt `image` as it can be wrong.

Everybody has experience to be deceived by impression.

Nevertheless, impression exerts crucial influence on our opinion or behavior on some things or issues.

Image is also a kind of result of judgment.

But, as such judgment is comprehensive image, which is formed through marvelous and complicated perception or mental operation, rather than the result of ideological thought, therefore it can be away from judgment of truth and false.

The matter of preference whether it gives good impression or not weighs on it.

Therefore, disbelief of image, wariness on image is brought about.

Nevertheless, we used to be defeated by image.

However, we can`t drive out image as an irrational trap.

Such sensitive attraction operates from unconscious dimension which logical thought can`t reach, therefore it is hard to be controlled.

Of course, it doesn`t stay back there only.

Even if there is such a complicated logic, it can be explained clearly by simple diagrams.

As image operates real `power` of society, if we try to expel it in mind or ignore it, it is a futile gesture.

We hear complaints often, “it is a big problem as youth doesn`t like reading books but like only comics, videos and movies. That is why their logical thought has become low”.

If we analyze closely, there is no basis.

Image is not simply non-logical thing as well as not separated from `writing` or `thought`.

Considering image as simple sense and writing as thought is a simple theory.

Most of the images accompany writing always.

Image is not hostile to `thought` but necessary factor and image itself is a kind of thought.

Expression of `visible thought` or `formed thought` is not metaphorical.

Summarily, it is important to make good and productive relationship with image.

We can`t go back to the past when there were few images and are not able to break free from attraction of image.

We can`t bring about war against image.

We should have wisdom to live with image together raising the power of critical thought regarding positive and negative power of image.

We should raise capacity to possess image as the way of communication and expression without becoming fool by it, grasping its operating theory.

Media education that is requested in our society keenly aims this as the main purpose.

Choi Min (Prof. in the Korea National University of Arts, Visual Art )