In week 9 of CTS, We planned our essays but also read about the use and effect of denotations and connotations. Denotations and connotations is something I have a background in.
During my A-Levels I studied media studies where I learned the importance of them and what an object could potentially cause and effect. I used the knowledge I had of them through my artwork as I like to work conceptually, meaning that when I create something I often than not prefer having connotations for my art direction, angles, mis en scene etc. I planned to use this effect throughout my current work as I believe connotations show links surrounding my work and the reasonings that are more subtle. In the Connotation and dentition worksheet I read, Roland Barthes gives a perfect example when discussing ‘The Photographic Message’ (1961) of how these semiotics are used. He says the attribute of denotations to an image (photography) simply shows that the image has no code or no meaning. Contrasting this with an image using connotations, the image then has a code of something historical- meaning that in order to understand the connotation we tustve learned about it previously.
An example of a connotation we tustve learned would be the connotations of simply the colour red. People perceive red as a representation or ‘code’ for: Love, Anger, Passion, Rage, Valentines day, Festive, Blood or Lust. These connotations come from both primary and secondary socialisation. An example of connotations in film could be from American Beauty. The most iconic scene in this film is where the protagonist lays in a bed of rose petals and is sprawled out elegantly tot show off her figure as more red petals fall on her. This is a connotation for how the main character envisions her in his dreams of being lustful and desirable. Through cultural changes in film, this scene has been referenced in codes of entertainment. In 2009 a woman tried to surprise and seduce her partner by pending thousands of pounds to recreate the alluring scene (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/4606130/Valentine-lover-recreates-rose-petal-scene-from-American-Beauty.html). If someone had saw this image without knowing the referencing behind it, they may not understand the origin of inspiration. Also, from the American Beauty scene; roses now have a more significant meaning to show passion and lust, hence why also a lot of people on valentines day may cover their bed in roses for their partners as a surprise and initiation fro romance.
Denotations also are used frequently in our entertainment and lifestyle culture but something are over looked. Because with denotation there is no hidden meaning its often only used in reference to an evaluation. Bignell, J giveth perfect example that a Rolls Royce car’s denotation that its just a car- where as its connotations of its use would be luxury and wealth.
Semiotics is something I will always use in my work as the viewer has a ‘aha!’ moment when they see a reference they understand. For me it makes my work more interesting and I can address and portray situations the way I want to through my use of something so simple as choosing a colour over another. Although sometimes people get carried away with connotations, it still give the audience an insight to their own reality of the work.
eleanor thorndyke 