HARTAIXX2016-V014300

Summary

This script delves into the relationship between architecture and language, highlighting the influence of 20th-century linguistic theory on architectural interpretation. It discusses Saussure's theory of the sign, emphasizing the arbitrary relationship between signifier and signified, and explores the connotative levels of meaning as expanded by Roland Barthes. The script further examines Charles Sanders Peirce's modes of signification—symbol, index, and icon—with a focus on the diagrammatic quality of Peter Eisenman's Holocaust Memorial, which abstractly represents the systematic atrocities of National Socialism.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The relationship between architecture and language has a rich history, and the 20th century saw a significant focus on how linguistic theory could interpret architecture.
• 🗣️ Ferdinand de Saussure's theory of the sign is foundational in architectural theory, emphasizing the arbitrary relationship between the signifier (sound/image) and the signified (concept/idea).
• 🔍 Saussure's theory allows for the understanding of signs beyond just linguistic, including graphic and spatial elements, which can refer to something else.
• 📚 Roland Barthes expanded on Saussure's theory by introducing the concept of connotation, where a sign can have additional layers of meaning beyond its literal sense.
• 🖼️ Barthes used the example of a black soldier saluting the French flag to illustrate how signs can carry ideological messages at different levels of interpretation.
• 📘 Charles Sanders Peirce contributed to sign theory by identifying three modes of signification: the symbolic, which requires consensus; the index, which is a direct trace of an effect; and the icon, which resembles what it represents.
• 🗺️ Peirce's concept of the 'diagram' as a special kind of icon is particularly relevant to architecture, as it captures the structural relationships of parts within a system.
• 🕍 The Holocaust Memorial by Peter Eisenman is suggested to operate as a 'diagram' in Peirce's sense, abstracting the structural relationships of the Holocaust system.
• ⏳ The operations of abstraction in Eisenman's project, such as repetition, randomness, and the temporal experience, contribute to its diagrammatic representation of the Holocaust.
• 🔒 The project's use of a grid, ground, and the erasure of names are specific abstract operations that intensify the memorial's connection to the systematic nature of National Socialism.
• 📖 Understanding Eisenman's Holocaust Memorial through the lens of linguistic and semiotic theory provides a deeper insight into its abstract representation of historical atrocities.

Q & A

What is the relationship between architecture and language that was highlighted in the 20th century?

In the 20th century, there was a growing interest in treating architecture as a language and using linguistic theory to interpret and understand architectural designs, which became an integral part of architectural theory.

Who is Ferdinand de Saussure and why is he significant in the context of architecture and linguistics?

Ferdinand de Saussure was a Swiss linguist who lectured on linguistics around the turn of the 20th century. His work, published posthumously by his students, significantly influenced architectural theory through his theory of the sign.

What are the two components of Saussure's theory of the sign?

The two components of Saussure's theory of the sign are the signifier, which is the sound or image that refers to something, and the signified, which is the concept or idea that the signifier represents.

Why is the relationship between the signifier and the signified considered arbitrary according to Saussure?

The relationship is considered arbitrary because there is no natural, causal, or functional connection between the signifier, such as the word 'cat', and the signified, the concept of a domesticated animal.

What is semiotics and how does it relate to the concept of the sign?

Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. It extends the concept of the sign beyond linguistic signifiers to include graphic and spatial elements that can refer to something else.

Who is Roland Barthes and what did he contribute to the theory of the sign?

Roland Barthes was a French theorist who elaborated on the theory of the sign, particularly focusing on the formal aspect. He introduced the idea that a signified can also function as a signifier, allowing for layers of meaning and connotations.

What is the difference between the literal level and the connotative level in Barthes' interpretation of signs?

The literal level refers to the direct and stable relationship between the signifier and the signified, while the connotative level involves additional layers of meaning and associations that can be more complex and resonant.

What is an example of how Barthes used the concept of connotation to interpret an image?

Barthes used the example of a magazine cover featuring a young black soldier saluting the French flag. At the connotative level, he interpreted this as an ideological message about French unity and patriotism, despite criticisms of French colonialism.

Who is Charles Sanders Peirce and what are the three modes of the sign he identified?

Charles Sanders Peirce was an American linguist who identified three modes of the sign: the symbolic, which requires a conventional understanding; the index, which is a direct trace or effect; and the icon, which resembles what it represents.

What is the difference between an index and a symbol according to Peirce?

An index is a direct trace or effect of an object and does not require an interpreter to be present, such as a bullet hole indicating a shot. A symbol, on the other hand, requires a conventional understanding and an audience to interpret its meaning, such as a bald eagle representing American spirit.

What is a diagram according to Peirce, and how does it relate to the concept of an icon?

A diagram is a special kind of icon that captures the structural relationships of the parts of what it represents, rather than just looking like it. It operates not because of its resemblance but because it shows the connections and relationships between elements.

How does the concept of a diagram relate to the Holocaust Memorial project mentioned in the script?

The Holocaust Memorial project is suggested to operate as a diagram in its status as a sign, capturing the structural relationships and systemic nature of National Socialism that led to the Holocaust, through its operations of abstraction and design elements.