Ironical Appropriation of Revolutionary Signs: For Memories Buried in Forgetting

Zhou Jiwu

Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2015, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (6) : 69-75.

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Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art ›› 2015, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (6) : 69-75.
Issue in Focus: Image and Memory

Ironical Appropriation of Revolutionary Signs: For Memories Buried in Forgetting

  • Zhou Jiwu  
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Abstract

The ironical appropriation of revolutionary signs is a visual representation strategy widely used in contemporary art practice of China, with the purpose to transform invisible cultural trauma into visual text of remembrance. Amid the textual and visual narratives, hierarchical order of symbols and signs meets its deconstruction. Appropriation of revolutionary signs in contemporary art practice is evident in three aspects: 1) appropriation and contra-appropriation of visual signs; 2) displacement and transformation of visual images; 3) parody of visual texts. However, not all appropriation of revolutionary signs is ironical, and the criteria for irony should include semantic polysemy, contextual sharing, and alienation effect.

Key words

contemporary art / revolutionary signs / appropriation / irony / parody / visual representation

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Zhou Jiwu. Ironical Appropriation of Revolutionary Signs: For Memories Buried in Forgetting[J]. Theoretical Studies in Literature and Art, 2015, 35(6): 69-75
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