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- From: r0mill01@ulkyvx.louisville.edu
- Subject: (Fwd: *C&CD*) Syntax of imagery (10)
- Sender: news@netnews.louisville.edu (Netnews)
- Message-ID: <1992Nov23.063038.1@ulkyvx.louisville.edu>
- Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 10:30:38 GMT
- Lines: 59
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- Organization: University of Louisville
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-
- Entry: 10
- Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 04:53:10 EST
- From: IN%"RobertRoyar@Delphi.COM" Robert Royar, (C&CD Moderator)
- Message-id: <1992Nov23.045310.v7.028.1.Grendel.Lair@Cratylus>
- Subject: Syntax of imagery (10)
- Reply-to: "Computers & Composition Digest (R. Royar)" <R0MILL01@ULKYVX.BITNET>
- Organization: Cratylus Educational Software
-
- In a recent message
- >Date: Mon, 23 Nov 1992 02:11:57 -0200
- >From: "(Leland Emerson McCleary)" <mccleary@CAT.CCE.USP.BR>
- >Subject: Music and Imagery (*MBU*)
- >Message-id: <01GRGXOPLS2O8WW01Q@ulkyvx.bitnet>
-
- >How many would object to the statement that imagery has semantics
- >but no syntax.
-
- I argue that semantics and syntax are closely allied (welded) in all
- sense-mediated experience. Where there is meaning, both are present. Even
- the nonsense *sentences* of the linguists hold some semantic
- element--ironically given them by their very syntactic structure.
- *Gee bleem iopioooed gee woiuthell*
- oder auf Deutsch
- *Fa Blemingtheroiusya fan woiuthellkiet iopiot*
-
- Syntax is a way of organizing discrete elements to create a meaningful new
- element. Thus we use syntax to assembly words and punctuation into phrases
- and clauses. Viewed this way the syntax of imagery is tied to spatial
- organization and iconography. A well-trained iconologist can read a
- painting and determine subtlties of meaning based not only on its elements
- but also on their positions in the work. One of the more obvious examples
- of this syntax is that embodied in the triptych. The order of the three
- grosser elements determines much of the meaning in the triptych. Why is
- this?
-
- Some would argue that as symbol manipulators our primary goal is to impose
- meaning on whatever our senses present us. Some would argue that insanity
- stems from the failure of this ability. The visual imagistic stream can be
- ordered by some using words, by others with color, by some with
- chiaroscuro, by some with blueprint and brick, by others with sound, and by
- a few with violent actions on their fellows.
-
- The syntax of images is not currently taught to most (even well-educated)
- people--our education system prefering to teach art appreciation without
- interpretation and analysis. The romantic movement in literature,
- impressionistic and expressionistic movements in art cloud the structural
- "syntax" underlaying literary and visual arts. The Abstract movement should
- serve to remind us of the syntax inherent in the visual--with its
- reinterpretation of such key structuring concepts as perspective and
- linearity. Previous to that we can look at renaissance painting and
- "gesture theory" or the doors of Notre Dame.
-
- -- Robert Royar (RobertRoyar@Delphi.com) New York Institute of Technology
- "If the Russians can get rid of the Communists, the Americans can get
- rid of the Republicans."
- - Rudy Rucker
-
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-