A Study of the Semiotic Understanding of Land Art


  •  Farzaneh Najafi    
  •  Merza Abbas    

Abstract

Semiotics is the science of signs. It is known as an approach to expose the fundamental structural elements of the meaning of an object or a term. It comprises of the study of signs, designation, indication, analogy, likeness, symbolism, signification, metaphor, and communication. Semiotic and land art are closely associated with each other. Land art consists of sculptures, carvings, and performances located at specific natural surroundings to deliver messages of love and concern for the environment, even though they are ephemeral or located in inaccessible places they are transmitted by the semioticians. Like all works of art, each piece could be classified as abstract or realistic and would be created using signs and symbols of the artist’s semiotic system to code the messages and feelings. The aim of this article is to examine the semiotics of land art based on signs and symbols of landscape through documentary analysis. The findings of the study revealed that semiotics is a powerful tool to reflect feelings and sentiments regarding different landscape. Some implications were also furnished.



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