[kj] Symbolism - redundant? ...no one told me.

Dave Noonan noonan.hq at ntlworld.com
Tue Apr 12 06:47:53 EDT 2005


Sorry but as a graphic designer who uses symbols on a daily basis to
succinctly relay information, I have to disagree, icons/symbols exist in all
sorts of shapes and forms - that have evolved over the years from the
origins of language and religion (the cross anyone...), through heraldic
devices (flags...) to those we see everyday and take entirely for granted
(telephone symbols etc...) They are a historical trail of man¹s gradual
understanding of his surroundings ­ useful today because until the world has
a standardised language, they enable us to communicate in a basic and easily
digestible format. To say that the swastika is redundant is a knee jerk
statement and completely ignores the history and progression of the symbol
from its early roots as a symbol of the wheel of life (4 seasons/4 elements
etc...) to perversely a symbol of utter evil by reversal ­ though, it works
on different levels depending on the knowledge of the recipient, it is
probably recognised by 90% of the world as a Nazi emblem and I tell you I
wish I could have a 90% strike rate with my work in communication!

See: http://search.about.com/fullsearch.htm?terms=swastika

Look around you and you will see that the modern world has a proliferation
of symbols that aid our daily lives (how long would supermarket queues be
without barcodes...?) and yes some people do appropriate certain elements to
create an aura of knowing and mystery and some may actually read round it,
where others simply use it as a façade. How many northern hemisphere born
gatherers sport Maori style tattoos for example...? We live in an
information age where we can readily access symbolism from other cultures
and feel that by merely discovering it that we can claim ownership ­
personally I would advocate a deeper understanding of the roots of
icons/symbols rather than a dismissive wave of the hand (which in itself is
a symbol...!) as in effect it is part of our global collective past.

Dave
Leeds
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