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Semiotics of nonsemiotic performance

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Jestrovic, Silvija. (2008) Semiotics of nonsemiotic performance. Semiotica, Volume 2008 (Number 168). pp. 93-107. ISSN 0037-1998

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/SEM.2008.005

Abstract

This paper uses Michael Kirby's structuralist theatre and its tendency to be nonsemiotic as a point of departure to address various aspects of structuralist performance including its resistance to meaning and participation in a communication process, its metatheatrical dimensions, and its defamiliarization quality. Although in a 'pure' structuralist theatre semiotics should become obsolete, the question is whether structuralist theatre is able to fully resist the process of semiosis. Is it possible for nonsemiotic performance to stay out of semiotic space, which constantly adapts and renews its codes to accommodate new and emerging structures? Examining the scope and ability of structuralist performance to encompass both semiotic and nonsemiotic tendencies in theatre, this work tries to demonstrate that the nonsemiotic quality of structuralist performance is indeed grounded in a suppressed semiotic approach.

Item Type:

Journal Article

Subjects:

P Language and Literature > PN Literature (General) > PN2000 Dramatic representation. The Theater

Divisions:

Faculty of Arts > Theatre, Performance and Cultural Policy Studies

Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):

Performing arts -- Semiotics, Theater -- Semiotics, Structuralism, Kirby, Michael, 1931-1997 -- Criticism and interpretation

Journal or Publication Title:

Semiotica

Publisher:

De Gruyter Mouton

ISSN:

0037-1998

Official Date:

2008

Dates:

Date	Event
2008	Published

Volume:

Volume 2008

Number:

Number 168

Number of Pages:

Page Range:

pp. 93-107

Identifier:

10.1515/SEM.2008.005

Status:

Peer Reviewed

Publication Status:

Published

Access rights to Published version:

Restricted or Subscription Access

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