The Nature of Representation
What we mean by representation?
Representations could be expressions of intangible ideas, concepts, or feelings in ways of physical form.
Sign- Basic unit of representation.
Arbitrariness- relationship between physical attributes of the sign. So three symbols that are different in form, size and structure can all mean the same thing because of how it is viewed in those cultures.
The Context of Culture
Reflective Approach- The meaning ca only be achieved by what is already there, whether it is a person, a object, a place, or an event. There would never be any other forms of how they are express, for example a rose just being a flower with thorns and not a form poetic or romantic gesture.
Intentional Appraoch- What the maker or author says is what that symbol or thing means.
Constructionist Approach- This how things are looked at today. We assoaciate symbols with social practices. So a church is where spiritual, cultural rites, etc.
Sometimes we look at symbols for example and associate them differently because it could be bad or good. so the Swastika which has been used for thousands of years through many cultures and its actually meaning of, "Good, " can be used in terms of right or wrong. So the Nazis used it because it promoted strength, power, wealth and life. for their Aryan race which they thought to be superior over all others. We naturally associate it with being bad, because of what Hilter did.
Ordering Elements Within the Representation
Syntax and hierarchy are important because we build a visual language when trying to visually understand something. Having Hierarchy draws our eyes from one thing to another by creating a flow from one object to the next. Syntax is how that hierarchy translate between each other, are they related or unrelated.
