Critical Issues: Week 1 (Terms)

Question 1

define:

Affect

Answer 1

Capturing a feeling through a medium, whether emotional or physical.

Question 2

define:

Code

Answer 2

The meaning, hidden or obvious, of which an artist attempts to convey. Can also be a type of accepted style within a certain category (Ie. social conduct or cinematic conduct)

Question 3

define:

Ideology

Answer 3

Shared set of values and beliefs existing within a society by which members live by (ie. relations to social institutions).

Refers to the way concepts and values are made to appear natural (ie. common aspects of daily life)

Question 4

define:

Image Icon

Answer 4

A simplified icon that represents a bigger idea.

Question 5

define:

Myth

Answer 5

A term used to refer to the ideological meaning of a sign expressed through connotation.

Myths are a subset of ideology.

Question 6

define:

Photographic Truth

Answer 6

The concept that photographs are closely related to, or mean the exact truth.

Question 7

define:

Practice

Answer 7

Important concept referring to the activities of cultural consumers and producers. The process in which they interact with cultural products to form meanings.

Question 8

define:

Propaganda

Answer 8

The delivery of biased or misleading political messages through mass media/art with the specific intent of manipulating an audience’s political beliefs.

Question 9

define:

Prosumer

Answer 9

An individual who produces and consumes: has access to the means of production through personal devices and software programs.

Question 10

define:

Referent

Answer 10

A term in semiotics that refers to an object itself instead of its representation.

Question 11

define:

Representation

Answer 11

The act of portraying, depicting, symbolizing, or presenting the likeness of something in the real world.

Question 12

define:

Semiotics

Answer 12

The study of reading signs/symbols and how they communicate meaning.

Question 13

define:

Social Media

Answer 13

Interactive technology that allows users to create, support, and circulate content (ideas, information, beliefs, and causes) among social networks.

Question 14

define:

Visuality

Answer 14

1. A condition in everyday life where social contexts, interactions and power are displayed through visuals.
2. How power is distributed in complex ways through sensory means that include touch, smell, sound and (if privileged) sight.