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signs
A sign, refers to something which conveys meaning – for example, a written or spoken word, a symbol or a myth. Signs used in advertisement billboards or road signs are used to make us do something, wether that be to want to buy a product or to follow a law.
Photography is also a type of sign, however isn't often referred to one.
Products are often advertised to us by photographs because they are seen as the most "realistic, reliable and trustworthy" however this is far beyond true as they are edited to appear much better than they really are to entice buyers.
Photography is also a type of sign, however isn't often referred to one.
Products are often advertised to us by photographs because they are seen as the most "realistic, reliable and trustworthy" however this is far beyond true as they are edited to appear much better than they really are to entice buyers.
SEMIOTIC THEORY
Signs take many forms ranging from speech, body language, symbols, paintings, music and morse code. Roland Barthes' Semiotic theory explains different cultures and societies interpretation of reading signs. Roland Barthes' Semiotic Theory explained the process of reading signs and interpreting them by different cultures and societies. Signs had both signifier and meaning interpreted by its physical form or perceived through our sense.
Stephan GILL
Stephan Gill photographed the reverse of Billboards, exposing the vacuous, irrelevant space, roadworks and clutter of abandoned lots and items in forgotten space. Gill observes parts of the city that we are so familiar with that we take it for granted.
A billboards purpose is to advertise or persuade the viewers by showing perfect images, intended to entice the audience however these images can be used as a metaphor that the advertisement is just a front to a product that isn't that great and instead is just as insignificant as the piles of rubbish hidden behind these billboards. His photographs work as a reality check, discovering the lies behind the fantasies. Similar to the door to a cabinet, once closed it hides the chaos behind and creates the illusion of order. This could be the same with designers attempting to use order to avoid chaos within people, or products.
Gil suggests he's doing no more than "Looking at things as we know very well, but rarely have the chance to stop and stare at." Similarly to the invisible workspace, workmen an women undertaking maintenance work such as street cleaning, traffic- directing, wear fluorescent worker specifically designed to be highly visible however, Ironically, underline the invisibility of those who wear them. Gill wears similar, vibrant jackets to take his images which guarantees him anonymity that is needed to take street photography.
Gill photographs the billboards from the front angle we would view the front of the billboard suggesting the back has just as much subject and meaning as the front.
A billboards purpose is to advertise or persuade the viewers by showing perfect images, intended to entice the audience however these images can be used as a metaphor that the advertisement is just a front to a product that isn't that great and instead is just as insignificant as the piles of rubbish hidden behind these billboards. His photographs work as a reality check, discovering the lies behind the fantasies. Similar to the door to a cabinet, once closed it hides the chaos behind and creates the illusion of order. This could be the same with designers attempting to use order to avoid chaos within people, or products.
Gil suggests he's doing no more than "Looking at things as we know very well, but rarely have the chance to stop and stare at." Similarly to the invisible workspace, workmen an women undertaking maintenance work such as street cleaning, traffic- directing, wear fluorescent worker specifically designed to be highly visible however, Ironically, underline the invisibility of those who wear them. Gill wears similar, vibrant jackets to take his images which guarantees him anonymity that is needed to take street photography.
Gill photographs the billboards from the front angle we would view the front of the billboard suggesting the back has just as much subject and meaning as the front.
STEPHEN SHORE
Stephan Shore travelled drove south from Klamath Falls in Oregon 1973, creating a series of photographs during his travel which he later published as Uncommon Places. These pictures attempted to colourise photography similar to the medium used in the advertising industry. These images captures both something unusual, while simultaneously being situated in a similar location or landscape. One of his most famous photographs from this series being the billboard containing a landscape image of a field followed by a river and mountains which pictures the surroundings almost identically.
RESPONSES
A store front of sign is meant to entice people.
this is the most unattractive sign and most unprofessional it is comedic |
This image was plastered onto a door at an underground station. Normally we would think nothing of it as its just an image of the undergound itself. However this image contains an odd sight of a family levitating within the image.
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Posters function as signs as well, telling us to do something or clearly inform us of something. Like billboards, some advertisement takes the form of posters. these are often small brands or personally made posters.
I found these rather interesting posters in the Southbank, on the walls of the skate park. They are much unlike other posters since there is little information other than one word. I later searched the name and found an art account. This piece of artwork inspired me as street art normally doesn't take the form of paper stuck to a wall but rather graffiti and this includes both graffiti and prints.
Graffiti are also forms of signs however they are so overused that we become immune to seeing them on a daily basis.
I found these rather interesting posters in the Southbank, on the walls of the skate park. They are much unlike other posters since there is little information other than one word. I later searched the name and found an art account. This piece of artwork inspired me as street art normally doesn't take the form of paper stuck to a wall but rather graffiti and this includes both graffiti and prints.
Graffiti are also forms of signs however they are so overused that we become immune to seeing them on a daily basis.
SIGNS OF EMOTIONS
These compelling photographs were taken by Kader Atti and exhibited in the "Museum Of Emotions", harnessing strongly held feelings of anger, sorrow, joy and grief. Since the exhibition had finished, parts of work had been taken down or partially ripped, leaving only some features which transformed these extreme emotions to be unrecognisable wether they were joy, or pain. The black and white further made the mood or signs of these captivating images unidentifiable. Facial features are signs of peoples emotions, but when a part of those features is missing, the sign and emotion becomes mixed unclear and can be misjudged as a happy emotions rather than a sad.
These images similarly obscure parts of the billboard which often would make the meaning or emotion unclear, however in this case it only accentuates the mood and emotions.
The first image became more intimate with the use of the plant obscuring the view, as if the viewer is in the hidden, observing a private moment. The text written above is directly aimed at the viewer who almost questions themselves, "I wish I was them". |
This image similarly reflects the viewer, as observing from the hidden, and in the sense of they feel like they are intruding and observing something private. Spying almost. Which without the plant, would change meaning and emotion and the signs portrayed would be altered.
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In response to the other two images, this one can suggest being caught observing or seem judgmental, causing the viewer to reflect and compare themselves to those In the images. Movie poster images, similarly to most posters or advertisements are supposed to make us want to be the people in the photos, and be jealous. It has no purpose of inspiring us but instead makes us jealous or feel bad about ourselves, resulting in the audience to buy materialistic happiness to boost their self esteem.
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In these responses, I have noticed a theme in images with unidentifiable signs, which seems ironic as signs are intended to clearly make us do something, however when its intentions are unclear, what sign is it giving if any.
SIGNS AS SPEECH
Artists Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin published a children's book "Humans and Other Animals", which is a playful, and visual A-Z sign language that combines black and white pairs of photographs which create a relationship between the text and the image. It is meant to inspire young readers to "listen with their eyes". The deaf are much better at processing visual information and almost appreciate sight more. Unlike most visual dictionaries, this photobook contains bright graphics and rhyming couplets spread across pages.
I found my self being drawn to miniature signs people convey through small hand gestures that are used as a coping mechanism of stress, anxiety and other emotions. Sometimes these gestures are made unconsciously and arent intended to be noticed. Certain gestures are common than others such as nail biting, that are recognised to be related to anxiety.
RESPONSES
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Taking inspiration from Adam Broomberg and Oliver Chanarin's sign language photobook, I took photographs of a relatives hands. The close ups expose signs of repetitive actions due to stress and anxiety where they had been picking the skin on the side of their thumb. Aged wrinkles and dry skin where also signs of over washing due to the corona virus outbreak.
This idea of taking photographs of hands and the idea of people touching their faces when they're anxious as a form of relief, seems almost ironic during this time. The outbreak of covid-19 has caused an awareness of washing hands, and not touching their faces to prevent the virus spreading. This gave me the idea of the signs of life forever changing during and after this period of time |
By flipping my camera lens around, I was able to shoot macro images of dry and peeling skin from over washing due to Covid-19.
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RANDOM SIGNS
Random signs could be signs out of place, discarded or thrown somewhere as a dare. These signs now lack their intended meanings. A common random sign that appears in all different locations of London is the infamous orange traffic cone. These cones are used as major signs for cars, or people to block off sections that are dangerous or that are being fixed. Other times these cones are used to mark slip warnings on wet flooring for companies to cover themselves if someone was to become injured. As they are so commonly seen, sometimes they go unnoticed, but however most stand out when they are in the wrong location. I found multiple cones thrown in bushes, over fences and in plants.
SIGNS OF CHANGE
Some signs can be less literal but instead are used as evidence of something. Photographer Patrick Keiller produced "The Possibility of life's survival on the planet", which included photos of moss growing on a roadway sign which Keiller interpreted as proof, or a sign of alien life on earth.
With the current events of Covid-19 changing the way the world operates, signs could be interpreted as evidence of the world forever changing which even in the early few weeks of Covid-19, there were signs of discarded blue surgical masks and gloves to protect people from contracting the virus.
The photos I captured of these now mandatory items discarded on the floor like regular litter suggest these changes.
With the current events of Covid-19 changing the way the world operates, signs could be interpreted as evidence of the world forever changing which even in the early few weeks of Covid-19, there were signs of discarded blue surgical masks and gloves to protect people from contracting the virus.
The photos I captured of these now mandatory items discarded on the floor like regular litter suggest these changes.
SIGN OF SIGNSAs a result of the current laws of 1 hour excursive allowed per day, I was not able to travel far so instead spent my hours of freedom on the banks of the Thames river. The still and undisturbed river of the thames meant the lack of waves which has caused more washed up rubbish than usual, including an empty stand up frame of a sign usually used outside shops and restaurants. Aligning the sign with singular boats or people getting fresh air, I framed these scenes of life changing and being affected by covid-19 within the stand.
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This series of litter I found on the Thames bank river relate to the idea of signs of life or human interference on earth.
EXHIBITING
I thought exhibiting my photographs in a way that meant none of the photos were touched, unlike a photo book, would further relate to my theme of life changing and the importance of washing hands and not touching things.
Photos could even possibly printed on surgical masks and worn by those who visit the exhibition.
Photos could even possibly printed on surgical masks and worn by those who visit the exhibition.