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Phil Douglis | all galleries >> Galleries >> Gallery Sixty Six: Using political iconography to express ideas > In charge, Tunis, Tunisia, 2008
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07-NOV-2008

In charge, Tunis, Tunisia, 2008

I juxtapose a huge billboard, featuring the portrait of Tunisian president Ben Ali, against the figure of an anonymous Tunisian waiting for a bus or taxi. The president clasps his heart in a gesture of compassion, but the man below the billboard pays no heed. The scale incongruity of the image expresses my point – this president rules his country uncontested. In 1999, two alternative candidates were permitted for the first time to run against Ben Ali. He was reelected with 99.66% of the vote. In 2004, he was reelected again with 94.48 % of the vote. Asked to run again in 2009, he accepted.


In January, 2011, Tunisian president Ben Ali was driven from office by a mass revolt triggered by the social media. He fled to Saudi Arabia, and a new, presumably more democratic, regime took over the Tunisian government.

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Phil Douglis01-Dec-2008 18:21
Yes, there is considerable distance between those in power and the common man, not only in this country, but in country's all over the world. This image is intended to make that very point, Charu -- thanks for seeing it.
Guest 01-Dec-2008 17:02
I immediately thought of political discourse too - this is especially true in countries where the "leader" is so much more powerful and distant from the common man - this image brings out the distance very well...
Phil Douglis30-Nov-2008 23:57
My sentiments exactly, Tim. In Tunisia, as in many other countries, the individual seems to be subject to the authority of one man-rule government indefinitely. In the US, we frequently change our political leadership. The politicians responsible for our government's decisions and actions over the last eight years have been defeated at the polls, and a new government will take over in January of 2009. Like you, I hope it will be a government that will trigger changes for the better for all concerned.
Tim May30-Nov-2008 22:01
Interesting that these images are evoking a political discussion - hmmm.... the power of image making. I do like the juxtaposition of the common man with the leader. The power of the individual and the power of the state. While that may be more pronounced in a society with presidents for life - at least the last eight years I have felt powerless before the actions of my government.
Phil Douglis29-Nov-2008 04:54
Thanks, Alina. Hah -- Tunisia has such term limitations. They just don't apply to Ben Ali. As for the US, we used to allow our Presidents as many terms as they could win, but Congress changed it in the 50s to two terms. As for banning re-election, the people of the US have the power to say yes or no to that with their vote. In a true democracy, the term limitations can be achieved through the ballot box.
Alina29-Nov-2008 00:38
Great shot Phil. Reelections should be prohibited even in US.
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