Bolivia – Rural Church 

The semiotic approach used in the text suggests that the typography, images, colours, and political affairs of the respective country producing the stamp are telling to more than meets the eye. The images and messages embedded in these tiny squares that for whatever utility service they do, is actually a bit deeper than that. The beginning of the article explains how historically the stamp wasn’t as representative of such things or political afflictions. Instead, the stamp was more so representative of varying styles of typefaces and explaining the value of each stamp. Then as time went on the approach to designing stamps evolved as the political climate of the global south did. Things like coffee and wheat were then seen more largely across the continent. As tourism became more involved in the area more stylized and catered to the world stage. Highlighting the fanciful things you may see or experience in these areas were then added to the stamp. Sports as well were an important element of the stamp and largely a nationalist kind of approach for the region, as in anywhere. National pride in where the stamps and people came from were then added elements of the stamp design. The impact of the stamp made an exodus from local municipalities to across the globe. Messages that then were carried had a deeper design and political motivation. However, one of the main contention I had while reading the article was the low number of females being represented in the imagery of the stamp design. Still today, more femme and non-masculine archetypes are seen in the United States compared to the global south. In conclusion, the stamp has evolved and mirrored the various sociopolitical elements and happenings of the country of origin. In particular from a popular culture lens for the global south the respective countries from this area have had an added element of living in a post colonial environment and have lived through various civil wars that have also been documented in stamps throughout time however subtle or obvious in manifestation.

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Hadih! (Hello), my name is Desiree Louis. I am a second year in the daculty of arts majoring in Indigenous Studies with a minor in Law and Society. I have a marine biology background from my studies in Northern B.C. As well have worked in rural areas in the northern archipelago, central america (more specifically Peru and Bolivia.) I have an infinity for learning about indigenous culture due to my cultural lineage. And, am excited to be researching this subject as growing up I always felt my culture under represented in academic settings. I am interested in the differences and similarities in indigenous cosmologies as well as the differences in post colonial worlds. I am First Nations from what we call the Luksilyoo Territory in what is currently called Northern B.C. As well as Cree-Metis from Northern Alberta. I look forward to learning more about popular culture in latin america as well as learning more about studying media critically.

Bolivia 2016