Erika Fischer-Lichte
Art and reality. The semiotic reconstruction of historical art concepts
Jan Mukarovský
The problem of the functions of architecture
Kvetoslav Chvatík
The aesthetic attitude
Discussion
Heinz Paetzold
Semiotics and aesthetics.
Theses on their connection
Wolfhart Henckmann
Semiotics or hermeneutics?
Jörg Zimmermann
Semiotics or hermeneutics!
Rainer Piepmeier
In favour of a semiotic philosophy of art
Dietfried Gerhardus
Semiotic aesthetics as a reflection of artisitic object constitution, artistic depiction
process and aesthetic experience
Nelson Goodman
Semiotic aesthetics and pragmatic irrealism
Enclosure
Karl Riha
The reason for art at all?
Interview
Algirdas J. Greimas
In conversation with Peter Stockinger
The current situation for semiotic research
Literary report
Tadashi Hirai
Semiotics in Japan
Art and reality. The semiotic reconstruction of
historical art concepts
Erika Fischer-Lichte, University of Frankfurt
Summary. The paper sketches the most important historical conceptions of art -
the mimetical, the expressive the rhetorical and the cathartic - as well as
their deficiencies. The question is discussed to what extent these deficiencies
can be remedied by a semiotic reconstruction utilizing the approaches of J.
Mukarovský, J. Lotman, and J. Kristeva and the symbol theories of A. Lorenzer
and H. Lincke.
The problem of the functions of architecture
Jan Mukarovský, Prague
Summary. The author defines the function of an object with reference to its
being repeatedly used by the members of a society for a certain purpose. He
shows that reality is patterned by the hierarchy of functions valid in a given
society and in this way explains how an object can be a sign referring to its
own functions. Four horizons of function (the immediate, historical, societal,
and individual) are distinguished for every object, and the aesthetic function
is introduced as the dialectical negation of functionality per se; through it,
an object becomes its own purpose. Architectural structures are contrasted with
machines, characterized as polyfunctional, and differentiated according to
their genre. In different historical periods different genres have become
models for the others. While the aesthetic function plays a similar role in
architecture as in the other arts, it never dominates the non-aesthetic
functions here; otherwise a building would become a sculpture. This fact
enables architecture to transmit the achievements of the arts to the everyday
life of a society.
The aesthetic attitude
Kvetoslav Chvatík, University of Constance
Summary. The author demonstrates that Jan Mukarovský's classification of sign
functions is based on inadequate criteria, and he presents an alternative
typology for the possible fundamental attitudes of man towards the world. The
practical, theoretical, magical-religious, productive-aesthetic, and
receptive-aesthetic attitudes are characterized, and this approach is
confronted with other current conceptions of aesthetics. The realm of meaning
constituted by the aesthetic attitude is described as form-oriented,
integrative and holistic. The author investigates the role aesthetic codes and
contexts play when a recipient with an aesthetic attitude constructs the
specific meaning of a work of art.
