Master Class 1968: Diana Sorensen on Che Guevara

TL;DR

Che Guevara's iconic image has been both celebrated and exploited, with his revolutionary ideals often overshadowed by the commercialization of his image.

Transcript

My name is Tom Cummins. That means I'm not Homi Bhabha. But it's still a pleasure to be here in front of you to begin this-- I think this is the first of the master classes. Homi returned from London a bit under the weather, and so, I have really received the great honor to do the introduction today. And as many of you know, but I should say that t... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ Che Guevara's image has been widely commercialized and used to sell products, diminishing the impact of his revolutionary ideals.
• 🏝️ The Pasajes de la Guerra Revolucionaria portrays Che Guevara as a learner and embraces the Marxist theory of societal transformation.
• 🥹 Che Guevara's image still holds potential for reappropriation and the resurgence of revolutionary sentiment in the future.

Questions & Answers

Q: How has Che Guevara's iconic image been both celebrated and exploited?

Che Guevara's image has been widely commercialized, appearing on various products and advertisements, detracting from his revolutionary ideals. However, his image still holds the potential for reappropriation in the future.

Q: How does Che Guevara portray himself in the Pasajes de la Guerra Revolucionaria?

Che Guevara portrays himself as a learner and embraces the Marxist theory of societal transformation in the Pasajes de la Guerra Revolucionaria.

Q: What tensions exist between Che Guevara's self-effacement and his role as a revolutionary leader?

Che Guevara portrays himself as self-effacing and modest in the Pasajes de la Guerra Revolucionaria, reluctant to assume a protagonist's role. However, he also demonstrates his commitment to the revolutionary cause and embraces the leadership of Fidel Castro.

Q: How has Che Guevara's image been commodified?

Che Guevara's image has been used in advertisements and on various products, such as vodka, cars, and ice cream, which detracts from his revolutionary ideals and commercializes his image.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Che Guevara's image has been widely commercialized, appearing on various products and advertisements, detracting from his revolutionary ideals.

• The lecture highlights the tensions between Che Guevara's self-effacement and his role as a revolutionary leader.

• The Pasajes de la Guerra Revolucionaria is a collection of Che Guevara's personal memories of the Cuban Revolution, portraying his role as a learner and embracing the Marxist theory of societal transformation.

• Che Guevara's image has been both revered and commodified, but it still holds potential for reappropriation in the future.