Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1. Anna Ursyn, “Two Skies” (© 1989, A. Ursyn. Used with permission.)
Articulation, Double- and Triple
Articulation of Messages in the Arts
or other concepts. Thus they become meaningful
in a particular work of art.
Figures 1 and 2 present the results of this type
of thinking. The viewers are invited to devise their
individual explanations of the meaning contained
in the pictures. Captions below figures may sug-
gest one of possible interpretations of their visual
content. One can also find a quick response code
for the art works' URLs on the author's website.
The “Two Skies” (Figure 1) implies that the
significant characteristic of the Western range is
its legend of severe nature and austere cowboy
life contrasted with the beauty of red rocks and
changing sky. Snow fences and corrals, all made
from planks, are of importance for the landscape
character: a traveler may perceive them as moiré
We may find an analogy of double articulation
in art as well. Like in verbal language, a paint-
ing is supposed to articulate elements endowed
with meaning; these elements, composed from
colors and forms, may be considered equiva-
lent to morphemes. An artist may use masses,
rhythms, and relations of colors as the signs of
second articulation. Particular colors and simple
signs (e.g., in form of angles or curves) may be
meaningless by themselves, but they stimulate
imagination and evoke emotions. Colors and signs
may be combined by the artist according to the
artist's own principles of aesthetics, composition,
