Semiotics and Composition

Monday's I have two seminar demonstrations, sem dem's as I like to call them. This week I had Semiotics in the morning and Composition in the evening.

Semiotics
The easiest way I can describe Semiotics is through an example. The example given to us was a picture of a pipe and we were asked what it was. We instinctively replied "it's a pipe!". It's not a pipe, it's a picture of a pipe. Basically it's a sign that signifies a meaning or object.

We then talked about Frank the ham sandwich. Was a funny way to each us about Semiotics, makes what could be a dull subject to some people into an enjoyable one. Basically Frank the ham sandwich was used as an example of how you can take apart an idea piece by piece and how every idea has different layers.

So! the theme is sense of space...

Space

Peronal space, private space, Confined space, Vast space, Invading space, Sharing space, Protecting space, Negative and positive spaces, Spaces between objects or people, outter space, how something affects a space....

 

Sense of Space

Senses: touch, sight, smell,taste

Emotional senses: fear, uncertainty, relief, expectation, excitement, curiosity

 

The list is endless as long as you use your imagination! I found this way of breaking out the ideas to be very helpful in giving new ideas rather than being stuck on the one idea.

 

 

Composition

This is an easier concept to grasp. Composition is basically the structure or layout of a 2D piece, such as drawing or painting. When you look at a piece, the features in a painting aren't just randomly placed there or the artist just felt like putting it there. It's placed there for a reason!! There's structure to each piece to make it more effective and draw the viewer in. Lines to focus the viewer on a certain point or pyramid compositon to guild the painter to paint in that shape. Pyramid composition is used alot for groups of people or portraits I noticed. Using the most famous example, the Mona Lisa is pyramid compostion.

Portrait figure is in the shape of a pyramid. Gives it balanced structure. 

Above, Composition is used to give the illustion of a wavey structure on a 2D surface, simpley by changing the direction of the lines.

 

Composition here (above) is using lines to draw your eyes to the centre, giving the illustion of depth.