In chapter 3 of
Anthropology of Art by Robert Layton, art and visual communication are discussed. Layton speaks of Durkheim, Lévi-Strauss, and Saussure's ideas about language and symbolism. According to Lévi-Strauss 'art can be understood as a system of signs, like language in some respects but not in others.' And Durkheim says that 'without symbols, social sentiments could have only a precarious existence... social life, in all aspects and at every period of history, is made possible only by a vast symbolism.' Layton reminds us that Durkheim was mainly speaking of ritual in this view, but because art and ritual are so closely related, they can be viewed similarly. Saussure mentions that, paintings or carvings (art) are the
signifiers and 'the sense of the social group's internal unity within the wider society is the real
signified concept.'
These three men seem to complicate what I feel art and visual communication is. I think that art truly is the universal language. Every piece of art, or performance of art, is communicating something to the audience. Even if interpretations vary, there is still communication occurring. It begins with the artist, and their intention; whether that intention is understood, or comprehended, its there. Isn't that why we can feel so emotionally overwhelmed by one piece of art compared to another. As human, we have the desire to connect with each other, and art seems to be a universal way of achieving that connection.
-Holly
Sources:
Layton,Robert. A
nthropology of Art. 1981.
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I agree art is a universal form of communication (especially music (for me)) but in the same way language can be misinterpreted, so can art. Every action committed by any individual has meaning on some level. The connection between art and language stems from pictographs which is why art is usually called the 'universal language.' Though different cultures have slightly different interpretations of the meaning objects hold, we still all. as humans, 'see' the same pictures.
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