Kai kurie architektūros semiotikos aspektai

Abstract

In order to understand the situation of the present architecture in Lithuania it is important to raise the problem of architectural meaning in general. Semiotics is a method providing for solving this problem on a scientific basis. The science of semiotics investigates meaning and communication what is understood as a language by means of which the process of meaning transmission and communication takes place in a wide variety of cultural situations and thus in architecture too. It can be said that the main problem of architectural semiotics lies in what is expressed by architectural forms. The French school of semiotics represented by A.J.Greim seeks to develop a general theory of meaning embracing all the humanities. Probability to find such common ground is based upon the following assumptions: 1) sense cannot be experienced directly, that is possible only through objects of the empirical world, i. e. thanks to meaning; 2) the laws, by which sense is expressed, are common to the whole world experienced by human beings. Nevertheless, each sphere has its own specific character investigated by separate semiotic subjects engaged in specific expression conditions in different structures. Architecture is transformation of a natural environment into an artificial one in search of either certain practical or cultural purposes. At the same time that is a spatial arrangement perceived by a human being thanks to his topologic competence. Semiotic analysis serves as an instrument for revealing sense concealed under the forms of the world. The analysis procedure permits to find the elementary meaning structure which is suitable for explaining the initial sense articulation. At this deep level the semiotic square is used which is an expanded model of the fundamental binary opposition. By architectural semiotics investigations U.Eko has found that architectural forms mean functions they are intended for. It is important that primary and secondary functions, corresponding to pragmatic and ideologically symbolic sense, are distinguished. Secondary functions depend upon cultural code, i. e. upon the system of means of communication of specific social conditions. In architectural sphere an attempt is made to distinguish two basic codes, namely, topological and geometrical, defining the deep and formal structure of an object respectively. The domination of one of the two codes depends on epochal paradigm. Proxemics is a science investigating spatial arrangement of objects and subjects. “Hard” configurations, i. e. materially determinate ones, exist among the others. Architectural and urban arrangements also belong to this type. Search of architectural sense is both a theoretical problems solution and a help for a designing architect.