Visual Culture

Více o knize

This introductory textbook on visual literacy explores how meaning is created and communicated in an increasingly visual world. It aims to equip students with the tools to analyze various visual texts, including drawings, paintings, photographs, films, advertisements, television programs, and new media. Richly illustrated with examples from medieval art to contemporary record covers, the book is written in an engaging style, free from unnecessary jargon. The first part delves into different theoretical approaches to visual analysis, covering iconology, form, art history, ideology, semiotics, and hermeneutics, while discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each approach and highlighting key thinkers. The second part transitions to a medium-based perspective, examining fine art, photography, film, television, and new media, and exploring the intricate relationship between reality and visual representation. Overall, the textbook unifies diverse approaches and advocates for a polysemic method of visual analysis. Each chapter concludes with recommendations for further study, making it an ideal resource for students in visual culture and communication across various disciplines, including media studies, sociology, art history, and design.