So as the title suggests, today's lecture focused on Semiotics. Ivan began the lecture with something of an experiment. We had to sit facing one another in pairs (not the easiest task whilst arranged in a lecture theatre). One person viewed a diagram and then had to describe the image to their partner. They in turn had to draw what was being described to them.
Unsurprisingly the combination of Steve and I produced a questionable drawing. I'm exaggerating, it wasn't that far off what Ivan had presented, but ours was the least successful in comparison to those sitting around us. I thought it was an interesting way of making us analyse means of communication and was a good opener, especially as the material that followed was for most utterly mind boggling.
Semiotics can be so confusing, even though I'd studied it before, I still find some of it difficult to interpret. I do oddly enjoy it though.
Following the main lecture we had the seminar, and because I'm taught by Ivan for that too we just naturally progressed on from the lecture. We spent some time deconstructing imagery from a semiotics perspective and that was actually really interesting. Especially because we all had different theories and interpretations of the imagery we were being shown.
One of the main characters we considered was the Joker in various film/TV productions of Batman. We looked at three different interpretations of the character (two of which are shown below) and discussed the similarities and differences between them.
One point I found particularly interesting was our theories regarding the way in which the psychotic nature of the character is visually interpreted. With Heath Ledger's portrayal, (right) its the dishevelled clothing and fixated gaze which create the unpleasant mood of the character. Jack Nicholson's joker (left) appears more smartly, with a dandy demeanour, but its his false permanent grin that causes discomfort.
Additionally, during the seminar we saw the following fight sequence from Stanley Kubrick's A Clockwork Orange and discussed the cinematic techniques such as slow motion filming and the use of juxtaposing music which present the scene almost like a dance sequence.
I think that the slow motion somehow heightens the violence and yet the fluidity of their movements as the characters brawl looks almost beautiful. Overall I think its a fantastic scene and Kuberick successfully accentuates the psychotic personality of the protagonist Alex and his lack of social and moral understanding.
Lastly we were introduced to the different ways in which to create our imaps, which is an important document towards our essay grade. Ivan showed us some examples from previous years and some of the students had presented their impas as artworks in their own right! Not sure I'll be as ambitious, but I'll try and convey some of my creativity through the piece.
First thing first though, I need to choose my essay title! ASAP
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