The Message Behind the Concept

Lecture notes

Semiotics/realism? 

Real life is in colour so how can a black and white photo be real? 

Art needs a spectator to give pictures a meaning of significance. 

Semiotic theories:

Signs
Symbols
Denotation and connotation
Metaphor and metonymy 

Language and speech
Codes
Sound image - Signifier
Concept - signified

Symbolism and colour

Symbols often used within patterns.

 
eyes =  gateway to soul 

Colours and imagery mean different things to different people. 

 
The yellow book was brightly coloured (yellow) to draw the eye. It was seen as seductive and lewd when it was first brought out in 1894-1897, it depicted things that were risqué at the time.

Aubrey Beardsley the illustrator of the yellow book used a lot of symbolism in his work. He emphasised erotic things. 

The Purple book is a modern version of the yellow book.

HALL S. This means this This means that A user’s guide to semiotics, Laurence King Publishing LTD 2012.