Re: <nettime> Speaking Signs. Otto Neurath's Viennese Method ofVisual Education (1)

[Tjebbe van Tijen <tijen@inter.nl.net>]

:

1) Emblem from the book 'Sinnepoppen' (old Dutch word for emblem art) by
Anna Roemer Visscher (1614) with the title 'Intelligentibus/about
understanding', showing the picture of a sign for steersmen on the shore
indicating a safe harbour place: "In many corners of the sea signs are
erected, indicating that there is a good harbour or anchoring ground, to
let the steersmen know where to direct their ships, but that is only
understandable for those who know about seamanship; others would not
recognize such signs: and it is like this with all things. The lawyers
understands his laws, the physician his recipes,the farmer his farming; and
further there is not much that is understandable"

In other words sign language as arbitrary convention...

roemer.jpg

Tjebbe van Tijen
Imaginary Museum Projects, Amsterdam
tijen@inter.nl.net