Semiology and Visual Interpretation by Norman Bryson: Reading Post

  In Norman Bryson article " Semiology and Visual Interpretation" he addresses the usage of signs and symbols in the art form of painting. Bryson argument is based off of perception. There are several different types of ways of perceiving, a scientific, a mathematical, and a linguistics method of trying to understand what signs are in front of a viewer. Artwork can be perceived using the ways listed in the previous sentence and several other ways. Essentially, the perspectives are endless. Bryson explains this notation by saying, "With mathematics, for example, I may have a vivid picture in my mind of a certain formula, but the criterion of my knowing that the picture was a formula, and not simply a tangle of numbers, would be my awareness of its mathematical application." This is where math and art can be viewed on the same common ground. Both math and art have symbols that are known to every person that engages with the world they live in. The recognition of what the signs are in both math and art give an understanding of what needs to be seen in order for it to make sense. Once these signs are learned they continue to develop, thus creating an endless potential of building blocks. 

In terms of the recognition of signs this can be seen in Jasper Johns’ s 1961 painting Map. One of person claims was that artist can play with signs and symbols.  The painting done by Johns is of a section of Northern America. However, the painting itself not a true form of the what the political map of the Northern America should look like. The borders are vague because some of the paint is intentionally used to blend into each other. The painting is also hard to read even when there is stencil naming each state. The question asked is how the painting can be seen as a map when it is not definite like a math formula. “ But it is a characteristic of signs that are given some permanent or notational form (a text, a painting, ect.) that the signs are able to travel away from the context of their making both in space and in time without ceasing to be signs.” In the end art is unique in possessing the ability to be seen within and out of restraints.

                                                                Japser Johns, Map, 1961

                                                                                Source




Comments

  1. SoarxisscaredSeptember 4, 2020 at 10:50 AM

    Maps have been interpreted different ways over the years and continue to evolve and change, even with the advanced knowledge of the world. I used to know a friend who could only do art through math, and their description is very similar to the one provided. Especially with making maps, one has to pay certain limits to the size of an area and their borders.

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  2. IsabelSeptember 4, 2020 at 11:08 AM

    Rachel, I like the point you brought up about math and art both having symbols that allow the viewer to understand what is going on. Many people believe that math and art are two totally unrelated fields, but I think it's interesting to note the similarities. The artwork you chose is interesting because it's an artistic interpretation of something (a map) that is not usually seen as a work of art.

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    1. Rachel ChapmanSeptember 6, 2020 at 10:04 PM

      Thank you for liking my point on the symbols in math and art. I feel like reading symbols is a dying skill and should be taught more in schools. Since there can be multiple ways a symbol can be used, and the meaning may change with the usage. I also appreciate how the article made me think of the similarity in math and art. Since so many people think they are two different plains when they are alike.

      Delete
  3. CelesteSeptember 4, 2020 at 2:25 PM

    When first looking at this piece, I wouldn't think of it as a map right away. Yet after reading your description and the process the artist went through in making this, I see how it represents this and what the artist was trying to express. I also find it interesting how a map was chosen to be the the idea of this piece.

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    Replies
    1. Rachel ChapmanSeptember 6, 2020 at 10:03 PM

      Hi Celeste,
      When I first saw the piece, I too did not think that it was a map. It is hard to say what Jasper Johns art process was or what his intention were for this art piece. Jasper Johns still refuses to tell people what this artwork means, knowing that in reliving his intention it would hinder his piece. It an interesting way of viewing the North American map. But what I get form the piece is saying that we should not divide the continents for political reasons.

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