sign, symbol, logo, or icon?

blockbuster logo retrieved Oct. 22 2007 from: http://www.novaconusa.com/Art/blockbuster_logo.gif

A sign is basically something (like a figure or gesture) that represents something else and has a special meaning.

A symbol often deals with double meanings. They can be objects or characters that stand for a certain idea or concept, but there is often the literal translation as well as a more cryptic one.

A logo is meant to be easily recognisable. It is some sort of graphical image that can be combined with a specific font to identify a brand or trademark.

And lasty, an icon is an object or image that represents something else usually of greater importance.

the bride stripped bare

When I first saw this piece I had no idea on Earth what was going on. I saw that it was divided into a lower and upper half that possessed three window-ish squares in the upper-right, mechanical-looking figures such as racks and pulleys in the bottom, and a strange dog looking figure in the upper-left. In order to understand this work though, you can't just simply look at it. It is important also to try and disect the notes that Duchamp himself took on the piece which are still quite confusing. From reading these notes though, the subjects become a little clearer. The top figure represents the bride, and the lower nine figures on the left side represent her bachelors. By being placed alone on the top piece it is implied she had superiority over her bachelors. Basically, the bride and bachelors work together in a mechanical way to produce sexual desires and the means to satisfy them. Each figure has a specific duty to ensure that the machine works properly. Visually, it is almost impossible to understand how this machien works, but if you read Duchamp's notes carefully, you find that he had a plan for each figure. What is noticable though, is how the top portion appears very abstract with organic lines while the bottom portion is sharp and geometric. Perhaps this is a commentary on the female being generally associated with the abstract. Although each figure has a specific function, this is not a work that I can relate to easily. What could be an interesting idea is rather ruined by the fact that it is so cryptic. But maybe being cryptic is what it's all about.

tiles, wall coverings, and islamic art.

There seems to be many unifying aspects in Islamic art. There is much repetition and interconnectivity between designs. We can see this in oriental carpets or on Islamic mosques. Nature appears to have a strong influence throughout as well. It is not hard to find floral or vegetal motifs in Islamic art. Most patterns found on these works are also very geometric. It has a strong resemblance to Islamic calligraphy as well. It works well on architecture and carpets because it gives similar importance to each feature of the building. There is not a single focal point that directs attention. Overall, this repetition and interconnectivity creates a very unified and appealing image.

Escher, M. C. "Sky and Water".
www.mcescher.net/ escher03.jpg


1. a configuration, pattern, or organized field having specific properties that cannot be derived from the summation of its component parts; a unified whole.
2. an instance or example of such a unified whole.

"gestalt." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 07 Oct. 2007.