The Semiotics of Light and Shadows: Modern Visual Arts and Weimar Cinema

Sadowski, Piotr/ Bouissac, Paul (Editor)

ISBN 10: 1350016144 / ISBN 13: 9781350016149

Published by Bloomsbury USA Academic, 2017

About this Item

272 pages. 9.50x6.50x0.50 inches. In Stock.

Seller Inventory # x-1350016144

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Semiotics of Light and Shadows: Modern Visual Arts and Weimar Cinema
• Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Academic
• Publication Date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1350016144
• ISBN 13: 9781350016149
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Brand New
• Weight: 0.61 kilograms

About this title

Synopsis

Lighting and shadows are used within a range of art forms to create aesthetic effects. Piotr Sadowski’s study of light and shadow in Weimar cinema and contemporaneous visual arts is underpinned by the evolutionary semiotic theories of indexicality and iconicity. These theories explain the unique communicative and emotive power of light and shadow when used in contemporary indexical media including the shadow theatre, silhouette portraits, camera obscura, photography and film.

In particular, Sadowski highlights the aesthetic and emotional significance of shadows. The 'cast shadow', as an indexical sign, maintains a physical connection with its near-present referent, such as a hidden person, stimulating a viewer’s imagination and provoking responses including anxiety or curiosity. The ‘cinematic shadow’ plays a stylistic role, by enhancing image texture, depth of field, and tonal contrast of cinematic moments. Such enhancements are especially important in monochromatic films, and Sadowski interweaves the book with accounts of seminal Weimar cinema moments.

Sadowski’s book is distinctive for combining historical materials and theoretical approaches to develop a deeper understanding of Weimar cinema and other contemporary art forms. The Semiotics of Light and Shadows is an ideal resource for both scholars and students working in linguistics, semiotics, film, media, and visual arts.

About the Author

Piotr Sadowski is a lecturer in humanities in Dublin Business School, Ireland. He is also a Visiting Research Fellow in the School of English at Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. Sadowski studied English at the University of Warsaw. Since 1991 he lives in Dublin, currently teaching film and drama in Dublin Business School. He is the author of six academic books on systems theory of literature and communication, medieval literature and Shakespeare.