MIDTERM ON CHAPTER CAPTIONS , HEADLINES ,DIGITAL JOURNALISM
The Work of Representation
Stuart Hull
MCM253-Visual Culture
What is representation?
Representation is the production of the meaning of the concepts in our minds through language.
There are two relevant meanings for the term representation:
To represent something is to describe it, to call it up in the mind by description or portrayal or imagination.
To represent also means to symbolize to stand for, to substitute for.
Representation and Meaning
Representation is an essential part of the process by which meaning is produced and exchanged between members of a culture.
It does involve the use of language, of signs and images which stand for or represent things. And surly it is not always simple or straightforward process.
Systems or processes of representation
First system/process of representation
First, there is the system by which all sort of objects, people and events are correlated with a set of concepts or mental representations which we carry around in our heads.
Meaning depends on the system of concepts and images formed in our thoughts which can stand for or ‘represent’ the world, enabling us to refer to things both inside and outside our heads.
Examples:
Object, such as: Tables, chairs, cars.
Concepts, such as: War, death, relationships.
Systems or processes of representation
Second system/process of representation
Second, Language is therefore the second system of representation.
Culture is the connection between the two systems. That’s why culture is sometimes defined in terms of shared meaning or shared conceptual maps. However we must also able to represent or exchange meanings and concepts.
Representation and Visual sings/images
Visual signs and image, even when they bear a close resemblance to things which they refer or describe, are still sings: they carry meaning and thus have to be interpreted. In order to interpret them, we must have access to the two systems of representation.
Representations Theories
Three theories:
The reflective approach.
The intentional approach.
The constructionist approach.
The Reflective approach
Reflective representation is objective.
In the reflective approach, meaning is thought to lie in the object, person, idea or event in the real world, and language functions like a mirror, to reflect the true meaning as it already exists in the world. We can also call it as mimetic approach.
Example Reflective representation
Example Reflective representation
The Intentional Approach
Intentional representation is subjective. The second approach to meaning in representation argues the opposite case.
It holds that it is the author, who imposes his or her unique meaning on the world through language or through visual treatment of images.
Advertisements are best examples of intentional representation
Intentional Representation of People
Intentional Representation of People
Intentional Representation of People
The third approach recognizes the social character of language and images. Things don’t mean: we construct meaning, using representational systems. Hence it is called the constructionist approach.
The constructionist approach.
There are several things that are socially constructed, such as: The state, money, identity, borders, national cultures, and many other things.
They are socially constructed because they were constituted through social relations. For example, money is socially construct in the sense of how use it money.
But what are things that are socially constructed?
Example of Social Construction:
Fashion
Social construction of reality does not necessarily mean that reality never existed before.
Most movies, for example, are social construction of reality that exists, but how we alter reality, determines the level of social construction.
Constructionist approach and representation of reality
Construction of meaning: Stereotypes
A stereotype is fixed generalization on a preconception. On a benign level, when we use stereotype, we ignore individual characteristics, and emphasize group characteristics.
Racial stereotyping, which is never benign, tends to exaggerate negative generalizations.
Stereotyping Americans
Angry Arabs
African Americans
Asian: A Math genius
Example: The Dictator Movie
Construction of meaning: Clichés
A cliché is an overused expression or a predictable treatment of an idea. Visual clichés are equally predictable. Skulls representing death and lights representing hope may be effective at first but tend to become worn out when used repeatedly.
Construction of meaning: Surprise
Surprise: In new visual culture, surprise is used to delight an audience, making the message more memorable.