By shelz
Years ago, when everyone and their sister were wearing a t-shirt with Ernesto Guevara’s face on the chest, I always wanted to ask the wearer if they were aware of the remarkable story behind the image? I never did though.
It’s been 50 years since Alberto Korda raised his camera during one of Castro’s most memorable speeches to catch a shot or two of Fidel’s 2nd in command, yet the picture resonates still, capturing the hearts and minds of people around the world. Guerrillero Heroico stands as a symbol of rebellion, freedom, class struggle and the grief and pain it engenders. It’s considered the most famous photo in the history of photography and many experts believe it to be the most reproduced picture of all time.
Korda’s image has been transferred to almost every medium known to man. It has been used in countless advertisements, as a symbol for other burgeoning movements and has set the standard for edgy, despot-ass-kicking, imperialism-hating revolutionary portraiture. Yet, Korda never accepted a penny for it even though that photo could have made him a very rich man. He did sue Smirnoff once for incorporating the image into an ad campaign for their liquor, but he donated the money he won to charity. He said Che would have wanted it that way.
Whittling the legacy of one of the world’s most revered, generous and at times brutal revolutionaries down to an image fitted for mass consumption probably flies in the face of his struggle. However, Che was a masterful media manipulator. He would have found a way for radical chic to not seem like your average fashion fad. These shirts will probably re-appear on the scene shortly. Any time protest is in the air, Che’s face follows, kinda like Batman or that guy who infiltrates the crowd to sell water for 5 dollars a bottle. Guevara is upheaval. He is resistance and fighting the impossible fight. So get ready for the onslaught of all Che everything, learn a little about him (he has one of the most incredible stories ever) and know your fashion.
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reminder that Che murdered unarmed women and children
i suggest people educate themselves before making the statement. regardless of what version of his life they buy into, they should be aware there is a story behind the image.
thanks for ur comment
Che didn’t murder anyone unless you think warfare is equivalent to Murder and in that case Obama and Bush ect… have murdered unarmed women and children. Read real historical document and not half ass internet breakdowns.
Then he’s a murderer. You don’t think there was any collateral damage in a revolution?
It’s a fashion piece not a historical document, but using other people to deify another doesn’t cut it when other people lose their lives.
Once you accept that all war is murder what point is being made?