Fellowship, Residency
1 - 29 / 9 / 2024

Semantics of the explosion

Participants: Katerina Giannopoulou,

In linguistics, the term “explosion” is used to describe the primary synthesis or initial stage of a vowel or vowels. An explosion is a type of phonetic event where the sudden release of accumulated air produces sound. In English, a blast usually occurs when a vowel begins a syllable or a word and is followed by a consonant or some specific grammatical combination. For example, in the word “bat,” the blast occurs between the vowel /æ/ and the consonant /b/. The blast distinguishes the vowel from the consonant and helps to differentiate phonetic sounds in a language.

In this context, I propose an art project that combines historical and linguistic symbols with the broad meaning of “explosion” can be a poetic composition, a visual artwork that explores the relationship between phonetic explosion and language, incorporating historical and cultural symbols. Using the poetics of a sculptural composition defined through the dynamics of the symbolism of ”explosion” The relationship between destruction and creation represents the ongoing process of evolution. Changes and crises are often the drivers of evolution, making destruction a potential source of energy for the re-creation and reconfiguration of new emblems resulting from changes in historical, political and cultural events. The sculptural works can then be combined with linguistic symbols and texts, incorporating words or symbols related to the theme of the explosion. The text can be a linguistic symbol in itself or represent the power of language as a means of expression. With this structure, the artwork will offer a multidimensional understanding of the concept of “explosion” in language, exploring its interrelationship with creation and evolution.

This research focuses on the semiotics of ‘explosion’ in language, examining the structure and thematics of linguistic phenomena. Furthermore, it explores the relationship between the explosion and the process of evolution in artistic practice. The exploration continues by examining literary works that incorporate the theme of the explosion; the project aims to highlight the creation of new symbols generated by changes in the historical and cultural landscape.