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?

Montreal705 72 dpi
Fin (Montreal) by Nikki

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.

Montreal703 72 dpi
White Bicycles (Montreal) by Nikki

Here are themed photographs collected from fellow Muses to inspire you to see and capture Language next month.

WORDS:

Untitled
Debra

IMG_1324
Debra

swim club
Swim Club by Meghan

Really Mummy?
Really, mummy? by Kirstin

Language1_Vanessa
Vanessa Simpson

10537432_10153018158633976_1759460187063313990_n
Chill Out by Holly

Language3_Vanessa
Vanessa Simpson

10342010_10152122882651652_3738880797015042595_n
Jenny Graver

SYMBOLS:

Oaxaca City window
Cross | Oaxaca City by Nikki

10393569_10152122887686652_346473475577110985_n
Jenny Graver

BODY/GESTURES:

TN 35 mm color Memphis246 72 dpi2
from Memphis by Nikki

Language - Anna 1
Anna

Language - Anna 2
Anna

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