Guy Fawkes Mask/Bandana

[ellipsis]

I picked this up at Occupy SF today. I am a big fan of the theater of "masking up" and have many different bandanas. I was happy to add this to my collection.

http://p.twimg.com/Aep90kcCAAACCe-.jpg

[ellipsis]

http://p.twimg.com/Aeq6SOlCEAAMeFU.jpg

[Tablo]

Very cool. Not a huge fan of anonymous or V, but I would like one of those.

[ellipsis]

Very cool. Not a huge fan of anonymous or V, but I would like one of those.

Wow, i just checked out the artists website. 16.50+ shipping. yikes, glad mine was free.

[Tablo]

Wow, i just checked out the artists website. 16.50+ shipping. yikes, glad mine was free.
Lucky. I always wonder why all the leftist stuff I see online is so expensive. I would be subscribed to multiple leftist papers/magazines if they weren't so overpriced.

Mind posting a link to the artist? I won't be ordering with such awful pricing, but I want to see other stuff they have done.

[ellipsis]

http://www.etsy.com/people/GiantEye?ref=ls_profile

[NewSocialist]

Guy Fawkes was actually a Catholic reactionary. I honestly don't understand why the left has decided to use his image during progressive activism.... I know that this all started with V for Vendetta or whatever but it made no sense for the author of that comic to associate *anarchism* with Fawkes legacy

[Sasha]

Wow, i just checked out the artists website. 16.50+ shipping. yikes, glad mine was free.

At least that money goes to the artist, the plastic masks anonymous until now have been using to protest big capital where lining the pockets of the big moviestudio that produced V.

[ВАЛТЕР]

I saw a similar Che Guevara bandana. It was pretty cool.

[mrmikhail]

Guy Fawkes was actually a Catholic reactionary. I honestly don't understand why the left has decided to use his image during progressive activism.... I know that this all started with V for Vendetta or whatever but it made no sense for the author of that comic to associate *anarchism* with Fawkes legacy

The idea behind it is not Fawkes' politics, but rather the fact he was willing to stand up for his beliefs, and in fact die for them. At the time I believe England was very anti-catholic and had many oppressive measures in place, thus his action was against oppression and so on. So the idea of his actions against an oppressive regime is why it is connected with progressive activism or anarchy (afterall, Guy Fawkes was trying to completely destroy the government of England, a rather anarchist thing to do)

[NewSocialist]

The idea behind it is not Fawkes' politics, but rather the fact he was willing to stand up for his beliefs, and in fact die for them. At the time I believe England was very anti-catholic and had many oppressive measures in place, thus his action was against oppression and so on. So the idea of his actions against an oppressive regime is why it is connected with progressive activism or anarchy (afterall, Guy Fawkes was trying to completely destroy the government of England, a rather anarchist thing to do)

:rolleyes: plenty of reactionaries throughout history were true believers willing to die for there beliefs. Fawkes beef with the English monarchy was it was Protestant and he was a firm believer in Vatican hegemony over europe. regardless of your views of religion (I'm an anti-theist) the Protestant reformation was progressive relative to catholicism. therefore Fawkes can be interpreted as a counterrevolution from a historic perspective

[thefinalmarch]

The idea behind it is not Fawkes' politics, but rather the fact he was willing to stand up for his beliefs, and in fact die for them.
I will never understand this logic. White nationalists are willing to stand up for their beliefs. Does it mean that, come the revolution, we should march down the streets adorned in WN paraphernalia and singing racist songs because it symbolises the mere "idea behind it"?

[mrmikhail]

I will never understand this logic. White nationalists are willing to stand up for their beliefs. Does it mean that, come the revolution, we should march down the streets adorned in WN paraphernalia and singing racist songs because it symbolises the mere "idea behind it"?

Not at all, but just saying that is why it was chosen as a symbol of such, despite all these facts.


And no, I do not support it, and am an Atheist of course ;)

[Smyg]

Bandana Guy Fawkes? Nice.

[ellipsis]

I was thinking that Fawkes masks are fast becoming the new Che shirt, people wear them but don't even know who he is or what he stood for. V and Fawkes beside, I just dig the bandana, probably won't rock it at protests, unless they are anon actions.

P.s. You can also fold the bandana in half.

http://img0.etsystatic.com/il_570xN.283167808.jpg

[Bronco]

Guy Fawkes was actually a Catholic reactionary. I honestly don't understand why the left has decided to use his image during progressive activism.... I know that this all started with V for Vendetta or whatever but it made no sense for the author of that comic to associate *anarchism* with Fawkes legacy

It's merely a symbolic image against authority and the ruling class, not much more to it than that really

[Die Rote Fahne]

The idea behind it is not Fawkes' politics, but rather the fact he was willing to stand up for his beliefs, and in fact die for them. At the time I believe England was very anti-catholic and had many oppressive measures in place, thus his action was against oppression and so on. So the idea of his actions against an oppressive regime is why it is connected with progressive activism or anarchy (afterall, Guy Fawkes was trying to completely destroy the government of England, a rather anarchist thing to do)

Guy Fawkes was trying to replace the Protestant monarchy with a catholic one.

[Susurrus]

The reason he used Fawkes was the association with TREASON, not beliefs. Or, specifically, for trying to blow up Parliament.



The big breakthrough [regarding what the character of V should look and act like] was all Dave's, much as it sickens me to admit it. More remarkable still, it was all contained in one single letter that he'd dashed off the top of his head . . . I transcribe the relevant portions beneath:
"Re. The script: While I was writing this, I had this idea about the hero, which is a bit redundant now we've got (can't read this next bit) but nonetheless . . . I was thinking, why don't we portray him as a resurrected Guy Fawkes, complete with one of those papier mache masks, in a cape and conical hat? He'd look really bizarre and it would give Guy Fawkes the image he's deserved all these years. We shouldn't burn the chap every Nov. 5th but celebrate his attempt to blow up Parliament!"

The moment I read these words, two things occurred to me. Firstly, Dave was obviously a lot less sane than I hitherto believed him to be, and secondly, this was the best idea I'd ever heard in my entire life. All of the various fragments in my head suddenly fell into place, united behind the single image of a Guy Fawkes mask.
Alan Moore

[NewSocialist]

The reason he used Fawkes was the association with TREASON, not beliefs. Or, specifically, for trying to blow up Parliament.



Alan Moore

Alan Moore is an idiot.

So Fawkes tried to blow up a protestant parliament and replace it with a catholic theocracy, whoopidy freakin doo. One group of reactionaries fighting another shouldn't interets us and we surely shouldnt use their images during *communist* activism. Should we use the Oklahoma City Bombers image too since he blew up a federal building and the united states is currently capitalist? he was killed for his actions to. But i don't think you'd be saying we should use his image since he was a god damn *reactionary* and a murderer.

Fawkes was a religious fundementalists piece of shit. he didn't care how many people he had to kill. he valued his desire to have the entire continent of Europe live under his specific faith over human life. I say fuck him.

[Grigori]

A symbol is a symbol. Don't over analyze it.

[Manic Impressive]

I'm guessing you're not from the UK and don't see the significance of the state using a man's image as a propaganda warning about fucking with the state, where they get children from their earliest years to partake in burning effigies of him. There's also little difference between what he did and many other terrorist groups many of whom are supported by communists. I'd also point out that he wasn't the brains behind the operation but the fall guy. If you were suffering the type of oppression handed out to you, your family, your friends and your neighbours wouldn't you want to do something about it? you know material conditions and all that.

[NewSocialist]

I'm guessing you're not from the UK and don't see the significance of the state using a man's image as a propaganda warning about fucking with the state, where they get children from their earliest years to partake in burning effigies of him.

no, I come from a country which used to regularly hang Black men from trees for daring to look at a white woman and which continues to keep all those who are not *white heterosexual males* (the elite of the white supremacist power structure) down thru a system of institutionalized racism, sexism and homophobia. the only positive images of minorities the state and media uphold are those who defnd the racist status quo. so forgive me for not really caring about a lilly white British theocrat who got killed by his fellow countrymen.


There's also little difference between what he did and many other terrorist groups many of whom are supported by communists.

Like who?


I'd also point out that he wasn't the brains behind the operation but the fall guy.

and Adolf Eichmann was “just following orders“ :rolleyes:


If you were suffering the type of oppression handed out to you, your family, your friends and your neighbours wouldn't you want to do something about it? you know material conditions and all that.

so the poor Catholics were being oppressed by the protestants after centuries of the cathloics oppressing every other faith? Boo fucking hoo. what about the millions of native American and middle Eastern people that lovely little church genocided over the centuries?

[Bandito]

It's used because it looks cool, and people liked the movie.

Same goes for Che imagery, without the movie.

[The Dark Side of the Moon]

I think Che is a bit different, as he actually wasn't a movie to have him as a cultural icon.
I've never seen V is for Vendetta, so I would not know

[Blackscare]

so the poor Catholics were being oppressed by the protestants after centuries of the cathloics oppressing every other faith? Boo fucking hoo. what about the millions of native American and middle Eastern people that lovely little church genocided over the centuries?

Yea, those fuckin' Irish Catholics love to whine about being oppressed and discriminated against as well. Don't they realize that their church having done the same to others at various points in history precludes them from having a right to complain about mistreatment? What cretins.

[ellipsis]

Get thread back on topic plz.

[The Idler]

The real reason people have been using the image is more people have seen V for Vendetta than read a socialist book.

[Red Planet]

I've never quite understood what the masks were all about. It seems pointless. Comic book characters should stay inside comic book revolutions. They dont do much for real world activism except to make the "activism" in question come off as a joke..

[L.A.P.]

The idea of a Guy Fawkes mask being used as a symbol of anti-establishment originates from the slogan "Vote Guy Fawkes! The only person to go into parliament with honest intentions." There, now quit whining about "he was a catholic reactionary wah wah wah derp".

[Sasha]

Alan Moore on the Guy Fawkes Mask of the Day (http://geeks.thedailywh.at/2011/11/28/alan-moore-on-the-guy-fawkes-mask-of-the-day/)

Nov. 28, 2011


Add to Favorites (http://geeks.thedailywh.at/page/3/#)
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http://tdwgeeks.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/6d9ebb48-a233-4e53-a536-895d813304fa.png
Alan Moore on the Guy Fawkes Mask of the Day: V for Vendetta creator Alan Moore discussed the famous Guy Fawkes mask (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/nov/27/alan-moore-v-vendetta-mask-protest?CMP=twt_fd), now used by Anonymous and the Occupy Wall Street movement, in an interview for The Guardian. As it turns out, he’s pretty happy with the way his creation has manifested itself in the real world.
Moore:

I suppose when I was writing V for Vendetta I would in my secret heart of hearts have thought: wouldn’t it be great if these ideas actually made an impact? So when you start to see that idle fantasy intrude on the regular world… It’s peculiar. It feels like a character I created 30 years ago has somehow escaped the realm of fiction.
Moore also appreciates that the mask “turns protests into performances,” and that unlike in traditional protests, the 99% appear to be having a good time.
“That sends out a tremendous message,” Moore said.
As for the profit Warner Bros. is making on sales of the masks (http://geeks.thedailywh.at/2011/08/29/anonymous-licensing-fees-of-the-day/), he finds it quite funny to see a large corporation that doesn’t want to be associated with an anti-corporate protest, but also doesn’t want to turn down money.
[guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/nov/27/alan-moore-v-vendetta-mask-protest?CMP=twt_fd)]

Submitted by: Unknown


9 Comments and 1 Reaction (http://geeks.thedailywh.at/2011/11/28/alan-moore-on-the-guy-fawkes-mask-of-the-day/#disqus_thread)

[Smyg]

I love Moore's attitude.

[the Leftâ„¢]

I've never quite understood what the masks were all about. It seems pointless. Comic book characters should stay inside comic book revolutions. They dont do much for real world activism except to make the "activism" in question come off as a joke..

its a cultural meme to organize and create working class commonalities and solidarities with... just because its a comic book revolutionary doesnt mean it cant help create some cultural/social common ground we can espouse radical left politics in...

noob. you are ignoring massive social outlets and vehicles for working class radicalization

[Tim Finnegan]

The idea behind it is not Fawkes' politics, but rather the fact he was willing to stand up for his beliefs, and in fact die for them.
Nope.

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lu5e3nsvGi1qap9gno1_400.jpg

Re:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irony

[Red Planet]

its a cultural meme to organize and create working class commonalities and solidarities with... just because its a comic book revolutionary doesnt mean it cant help create some cultural/social common ground we can espouse radical left politics in...

noob. you are ignoring massive social outlets and vehicles for working class radicalization

yeah, right. ignore my earlier post. its obvious that comic book characters are massive social outlets and vehicles for working class radicalization. thanks for setting me straight, comrade

[ellipsis]

Comics have quite the subversive history, at least in the US.

[Sasha]

fuck yeah:


http://tdwgeeks.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/9eac9930-b607-4760-b818-d49020058d01.png
Guy Fawkes Paintball Mask of the Day: The closest thing to a bulletproof V for Vendetta Guy Fawkes mask you’re likely to find — a Guy Fawkes paintball mask (http://www.ebay.com/itm/V-Vendetta-Movie-Prop-Mask-Replica-Paintball-mask-/260935584291?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cc0f90a23#ht_2773wt_1397) — has turned up on eBay.
The mask is made from hand-painted fiberglass resin, reinforced by “2 layers of specialty glass fibers” that make it suitable for paintball battle as well as protests. As further evidence of its durability, the makers claim it was tested with modified BB guns at point-blank range.
Those flimsy plastic masks work fine for photo ops, but if things get dangerous, this upgrade could come in handy.
More pics after the jump.
Click to see more… » (http://geeks.thedailywh.at/2012/01/20/guy-fawkes-paintball-mask-of-the-day/#more-49775)

[Fawkes]

Fawkes was a religious fundementalists piece of shit. he didn't care how many people he had to kill. he valued his desire to have the entire continent of Europe live under his specific faith over human life. I say fuck him.

Fuck you, motherfucker (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfD7agP1yxw)






but srzly, aesthetically speaking, I like the masks/bandanas, but I'm not too comfortable with their prevalence among the left given the historical revisionism (in the negationist sense) that tends to surround them.



A symbol is a symbol. Don't over analyze it.
Given the enormous lack of critical analysis that occurs in our societies, I'd say "over" analyzing things is exactly what we should be doing.


yeah, right. ignore my earlier post. its obvious that comic book characters are massive social outlets and vehicles for working class radicalization. thanks for setting me straight, comrade
Media in every form plays a huge role in structuring existing societies, it only makes sense that they have the potential to play a major role in structuring alternatives. I'm not saying this is the case with V for Vendetta, but discounting an entire medium seems pretty stupid to me.