CIM402.2 An Enigma Machine - Critical and Creative Response:

Critical and Creative Response: An Enigma Machine

Make a Mash-up, you can use leftover techniques from Studio 2's session on Dada if you like, or just run with it. Reflect on whether the denotations of the signs in the original texts are changed when the texts are combined. Use the terminologies and techniques of semiotic analysis, and reference your sources. 

This mash-up (Wired Realities: Through the Vines and Wires) of the romantic worlds of the Arthurian collection (Post-Vulgate Cycle) juxtaposed with the dystopian world of Warhammer 40,000 (40k) has been portrayed through a short visual novel - though the graphics have been left blank as an open work - partially due to time constraints, but also to allow future visual artists to portray their own interpretation.

I have added an ideological undercurrent of environmentalism to guide the narrative within these worlds, and as a method to layer semiotics within the story and create deeper meaning. While the signs retain some aspects of the original denotations, adding this has allowed me to change the context in which they are placed, to alter and expand their meanings. As Bourdieu explains, habitus ensures that signs derive meaning from cultural contexts; without ideology, they risk losing relevance (Bourdieu, 1977). This transformation expands the denotations and connotations of the original signs, illustrating how signs operate across various systems, (Chandler, 2017) as the context evolves in the narrative, and the ideology becomes more apparent.

Semiotic Analysis

The Oracle/Merlin – The Oracle, Emrys (Who is Merlin in Vulgate Cycle) in the mash up, has become a “Tech Priest” from 40k –Cybernetic technomancers, and keepers of ancient knowledge. He serves as a commentary on the limitations of knowledge and represents predictive logic and control, where knowledge is perceived as absolute power. However, in the third act, he is a critique of the limits of pure logic, emphasizing that human will is needed to affect change. Eco (1979) addresses two main concepts: communication (messaging) and signification (meaning through signs) and a typology of signs, leading to unlimited semiosis. Ie every sign points to another sign. This evolution illustrates how endless interpretations can be made, and initially is an example of a closed element, where the reader is guided towards a specific interpretation from the original texts, however in the third act, with more context, the intention was to make this an open element, allowing the reader to impart their own interpretation.

The Order of the Black Rose – By integrating the order of the black rose into the story, I have been able to layer multiple meanings into this same signifier. First, “Order” in this context, signifying a monastic order, and signified of divine authority. Layering this with “Black rose” signified of death and mourning (as at funerals), and then in the third act, this transforms as a signified of the defiance against oppression, having the signifier of the Irish rebellion, as well as the signified of new beginnings and transformation through primarily the floriography (Victorian language of flowers). These signifiers illustrate how common elements convey ideological messages through myths, and systems of meanings to provide universal cultural signs for universal social value structures (Barthes, 1957)

Blood Oath - Sacrifice, commitment, and the personal cost of wisdom. It reflects the “price of knowledge” commenting on the current idea of transactional knowledge that insight, and how power come at a personal cost. Prior to the third act, it critiques both military ideologies that demand sacrifice and technocratic systems that require compliance. In the third act, this evolves into Human agency over logic: The Oracle demands blood, something uniquely human, implying that knowledge cannot come freely or from logic alone, and that human will evokes change, This marks Accolon’s transition from warrior to healer.  As Saussure (1916) notes, signs gain meaning only through their structure, exemplified here by the evolving symbolism of the blood-oath.

Obsidian Altar – This layers further significance around ritual and sacrifice, with layers of darkness and mystery, signifying the unknown and hidden knowledge, suggesting danger or profundity. Also to note that Obsidian can be shaped into blades which can connote precision focus and clarity, and that blades can be used to harm, as a weapon; or heal through surgery.

Fog - Using Pierces triadic model, the fog evolves into an index for moral ambiguity by literally obscuring Accolon’s vision, causing uncertainty. This is a direct or causal relationship with the object it represents, and is not an icon or symbol, neither resembling nor arbitrarily standing for object (Pierce, 1998)

The river -  A symbol of life and culture and the passage of time, now choked symbolises how our culture has been choked by the “machines” – which in themselves are an obvious denotation towards industry. Poisoned river – signifies industrial decay, environmental harm, and the consequences of exploitation.

Vines and conduits – Overt symbolism of nature reclaiming what industry has destroyed, reinforcing the message.

Sword and Sheath - Traditionally swords symbolizes violence and justice, however when sheathed, a sword represents restraint and self-control critiquing the idea of military dominance, suggesting that strength lies in choosing peace over conflict.

Seeds Carried on the Wind - The final image of seeds carried on the wind reflects the ideology of renewal and hope—that every ending contains the potential for regrowth and transformation. The seeds suggest that lasting change comes not through force, but through nurturing new beginnings.

1. Ferdinand de Saussure's Course in General Linguistics

   • Foundational work in semiotics, focusing on signs, signifiers, and how meaning is created through language.

2. Charles Sanders Peirce’s Collected Writings

   • Introduces triadic models of signs (icon, index, symbol) and explores how signs operate in thought.

3. Roland Barthes' Mythologies

   • Applies semiotic theory to culture, showing how everyday objects convey ideological messages.

4. Umberto Eco's A Theory of Semiotics

   • Explores how signs operate across different forms of communication.

5. Daniel Chandler's Semiotics: The Basics

   • Provides a clear, accessible introduction to semiotic concepts and their applications.

Barthes, R. (2013). Mythologies (A. Lavers & R. Howard, Trans.). Hill and Wang. (Original work published 1957)

Bourdieu, P. (1977). Outline of a theory of practice (R. Nice, Trans.). Cambridge University Press.(Original work published 1972)

Chandler, D. (2017). Semiotics: The basics (3rd ed.). Routledge.

Eco, U. (1979). A theory of semiotics. Indiana University Press.

Peirce, C. S. (1998). The essential Peirce: Selected philosophical writings (Vol. 2, 1893–1913). Indiana University Press.

Saussure, F. de. (2011). Course in general linguistics (W. Baskin, Trans.). Columbia University Press. (Original work published 1916)