Semiology (Norman Bryson)

 

Visual Interpretation (Perception)

In the reading Semiology and Visual Interpretation the author Norman Bryson references the ideas of the perception. Bryson emphasizes the use of signs and symbols to portray a message. He also highlights both ends of interpretation: the creator and viewer. Bryson’s ideals are easy to resonate with, as we all recognize iconic symbols with universal meanings as well as use them to communicate. 

Bryson references John Ruskin at the beginning of his writing, Ruskins speaks of Joseph Turner, a romantic painter. Often Turner used the same device’s in his works to portray a specific design. Ruskin uses Turner’s work to explain the effects of associated memories with new perceptions, “... each new bridge Turner sees and paints reminds Turner of previous bridges… Turner’s new perception of a bridge brings with it the train of all the bridges Turner has previously perceived (pg 89).” Bryson then references the text Art and Illusion written by Emst Gombrich again to highlight art can be conditioned by previous perceptions or memories. Gombrich’s writing also makes a connection between art and science. Artist’s devices for creating design begin with observations of the real world, then artists form a hypothesis and test these devices by creating images that allow viewers to perceive their message. Devices that allow viewers to perceive the artist’s message are devices that give enough information to the viewer to make connections. Making connections with the symbolism is the goal of perceptualists. 

Bryson’s claims there are two halves to a sign or symbol, there is the meaning and then there is what carries the meaning. He also argues it is not yet a sign/symbol or even half a sign/symbol until it completes its projection while at the same time he claims meaning can travel far from the sign/symbol but that does not make it any less of a sign/symbol. He claims signs/symbols that transcend time periods are defined by both past and present meanings. I would have to agree that both historical and current meaning is equally important in interpretation of signs and symbols. Making connections with imagery is how we understand it in depth. A collection of signs and symbols often leads to a conclusion about what is being viewed, if a conclusion is found that means the signs and symbols were used effectively.  

The painting above is called The Treachery of Images (1929) by Rene Magritte, a surrealist painter who did a series of these word-image paintings. It is also known as This is Not a Pipe which is what the text at the bottom of the painting says in French. Clearly we can see the image is a pipe, so how do we interpret the same painting of a pipe telling us it is not a pipe? This painting creates a paradox. A painting of a pipe saying it is not a pipe is contradictory, which was exactly Margritte’s goal. This piece throws the idea that words correlate with images completely out the window. This painting challenges the ideals that signs and symbols are used to convey a specific meaning. The device Magritte used casts doubt on the image, it makes the viewer question the connections they are making. We have seen a pipe like this before but we are also being told this is not a pipe and that is challenging our notions of meaning and visual interpretation. 

I firmly agree art is encapsulated by signs/symbols and artists use them in a way to effectively convey their message but there are also instances like the painting shown above that challenge that ideal. Signs and symbols can also be used to confuse a viewer and leave them without a solid interpretation of the message an artist is trying to convey or the message may be utter confusion. It can go both ways, signs and symbols can display a clear message and signs and symbols can be used to create a purposefully unclear message. 

Bryson, Norman. Semiology and Visual Interpretation. Visual theory : painting and interpretation. Print. 1991. Accessed 6 September 2021. 

The Treachery of Images, 1929 by Rene Magritte. www.renemagritte.org/the-treachery-of-images.jsp.