The New Media Encounter

The new media encounter moment between the pamphlet and this  exhibit results in the loss of the physical experience and stimulus of the original manuscript e.g. the dimensions and feel of manuscript in hand is lost with the digitization of the media.

The interaction between the reader has also changed profoundly. Similarly, the original manuscript created a juxtaposition between Christ on one page and the Pope as AntiChrist on the other creating a contrast and lasting impression on the reader – which is lost in the digital exhibit.

However, the digital exhibit captures the integrity of the manuscript at a specific point in time. It provides a medium for accessibility, mass distribution, and, preservation of the original manuscript.

Insights

“You are not only responsible for what you say, but also for what you do not say.” – Martin Luther

Martin Luther used the Reformation pamphlet as a tool to challenge the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. The Reformation pamphlet was a convenient size and could be mass produced cheaply and quickly.  Given the low literacy rate of about 5-10 percent in the early 16^th century(Bagchi 2016), this use of the hybrid format of text and image increased the visual appeal and contributed to the  dissemination of ideas in a largely illiterate population.

While this pamphlet is an example of Reformation propaganda – it achieved the ultimate purpose of the Reformation by passing on the idea of questioning the legitimacy of Pope’s  authority as a  proxy representative of Christ on Earth.