Semiotics

The definition of semiotics is 'the study of signs' (http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem01.html). To be more specific semiotics is the study of visual signs (eg: road signs, toilet signs) but can also cover drawings, paintings and photographs; and taking it further to words, sounds and body language ( http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem01.html ).

“Signs are formed through the society that 

creates them, by the structures they 

employ and via the sources that they 

use.” (Hall, 2007, p.7)

There are three types of sign:

Symbol- a representation of a learnt relationship (eg. sterling pound)

Index- a sign caused by something else (eg. footprints)

Resembles- looks like something (eg. a statue of someone)

(information from class lectures)

(http://ozan-intertextuality.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/semiotics.html)

This is a photograph showing a typical example of visual symbol semiotics, the beauty of these symbols is the pure simplicity. It doesnt matter what language you speak you will be able to understand them. The symbols work singularly (eg. you can clearly see the sign for the toilets) and they can also work together (the toilet symbol is next to an arrow symbol showing you in which direction you should be heading). I personally think this is genius as such a simple image can be of great help to many people. 

(http://www.yoga.am/2011/12/06/get-rid-of-lower-back-pain-with-yoga-exercises/)

This is a different example of semiotics, this is body language. You can clearly see from the facial expressions and position of the body that the woman is suffering with backache. Like the toilet symbols above this can be understood universally. 

(http://johnmchoul.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/a-rose-is-a-rose/)

A rose is the signifier, passion is signified and together they are the symbol that a person loves another (interpreted from lecture notes).

Barbara Kruger: We Don't Need Another Hero

(http://www.maryboonegallery.com/artist_info/pages/kruger/detail2.html)

“InternaTonally renowned artist Barbara Kruger [is] notorious for her photographic and text‐based works that challenge mainstream ideas and ideologies […] She is a key figure who has shaped the way art audiences think about ideology and information.” (Tate, 2012)

The message Kruger is sending here is transmitted is representational. She has used an image along which could represent a number of things and backed it up with type representing what she intended it to mean. 

Most people don't give semiotics the time of day but if it wasn't there the world just wouldn't work. Semiotics may be one of the most clever things out there.



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References:
-http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem01.html
-http://ozan-intertextuality.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/semiotics.html
-http://www.yoga.am/2011/12/06/get-rid-of-lower-back-pain-with-yoga-exercises/
-http://johnmchoul.wordpress.com/2012/03/17/a-rose-is-a-rose/
-http://www.maryboonegallery.com/artist_info/pages/kruger/detail2.html