Words, symbols, letters, numbers. Language is all around us in obvious and hidden ways. It is our means of communication with each other through the body as well as through words and speech. For August’s theme, let’s explore language with our cameras. Are you drawn to signs, pieces of text, symbols, numbers, or notes? Do you document gestures articulated through body language?
In the 1960s a number of conceptual artists including Joseph Kosuth, John Baldessari, Ed Ruscha, Hans Haacke, and Lawrence Weiner used language as a tool in their art, in place of a brush and canvas. Words played a central role in highlighting ideas and theoretical practices over visual forms. Of course, text and other forms of language have been present throughout the history of art, however the dialogue created in the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond was ground-breaking. Language-based art drew attention to the relationship between ideas, words, objects, and forms.
For our next theme, I thought it would be fun to explore how we interpret and capture language with our cameras today. Here’s a few from the Muses. We hope to inspire you to capture language in its many forms. As always, the theme is open to interpretation, so express it however you see fit.
White Bicycles (Montreal) by Nikki
Here are themed photographs collected from fellow Muses to inspire you to see and capture Language next month.
WORDS:
SYMBOLS:
BODY/GESTURES:
How does language enter your photographs? We can’t wait to hear from you. Be sure to drop them in the Theme pool next month.
Nikki | Art & Lemons
Love these images and this theme!
Such a fantastic choice of theme, Nikki – it opens up so much potential for photos!
what a hreat idea for a theme !
All minivans look like crap. The short hood, sudden end, small wheels and downright ugly grilles should be enough to scare everyone off. In my honest opinion, the only reason that minivans are in the market still is that the1#&82y7;re useful, which I agree with.