The course notes discuss the use of anchor and relay text in conjunction with images. Anchor text is mostly used in advertising or news photography to make a clear point. Anchor text attempts to direct the viewer and leaves little room for ambiguity. Relay text gives equal weighting to the image and the text. They both enhance each other to create meaning that goes beyond the first level of interpretation. Much successful work has been made using both of these methods. Feminist artist's such as Barbara Kruger have based their art practise on using text and image together to communicate political commentaries on feminism, cultural consumption, and Patriarchal ideologies that oppress.
In the image below Kruger appropriates a popular song title as a relay text to communicate a feminist message that girl's (and boys) identities are bound tightly to notions of masculinity and femininity that are culturally constructed and Patriarchal. The text directly opposes the cultural pairing of the traits 'boy/strong' and 'girl/meek' portrayed in the image. Kruger appropriates both image and text from popular culture and advertising to create powerful insights into western culture using relay text as a method of communication.
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