Sunday 28 April 2013

Semiotics



Semiotics is a study of the symbolic meaning within signs and objects. It includes metaphorical language and is also widely associated with linguistics.  Linguistics deals with certain objects, for example there are many forms of transport which are all seen to do the same thing – get the public from one place to another however they are seen differently from each other when it comes to their true form, from a yacht to a boat to a ship, they all have the same objective but they come in different structures. An example of semiotics is when it comes to signs on the road, everyone notices the meaning of the signs when driving safely, however one has to learn what the sign means before they act upon it. 

When it comes to objects and pictures there is a common understanding that the object in front of you appears as it is. However to an artist or someone who looks within objects for meaning they appear different. For example. A single rose on the floor, in this case the iconic sign of the rose is subjective, its natural not a man made object bearing in mind a rose is a symbol of love and beauty. No one is around it stands alone. When analysing the significance of a rose you come to realise couples are also in association with roses and they emphasize emotion and deal with love between two people.  Now you wonder why the rose is alone maybe because the symbol of love is not being held by anyone anymore, they have gone their separate ways hence the reason the rose has been left on its own.  

Chagall's i and village 1911-1914
Chagall (Russian artist) has used cubism in order to represent his use of symbolism within this piece, as a reflection of his dreams and feelings towards his homeland. Some signs being subjective and obvious. Russians believe everything sinister comes from the left side hence the goat and everything good comes from the right side, which in this image is represented by a sacred man wearing a cross. Overall the icon is this artwork here is the belief and the offerings that you give to God.



“signsalad” [Online] Available at: http://www.signsalad.com/semiotics-explained/ 
[Accessed 9th April 2013]




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