Praha Lingvistilise Ringi kunstisemiootikast
Semiotics of art: Prague Linguistic Circle

Summary/Abstract: The Prague Linguistic Circle’s contribution to the development of intellectual thought included the further development of the principles of structural linguistics and laid the groundwork for the possible creation of new theories of art. Founded in 1926, the Prague Linguistic Circle successfully drew on Russian formalism and Saussure's semiology, expanding the functional-structural method to encompass art and aesthetics research. It responded with sensitivity to changes in the art and social environment, developing theories of poetic function (Jakobson) and theories of aesthetic function, norms and value (Mukařovský). The ongoing universal character of semiotic schemes is evidenced by their suitability for the interpretation of developments in contemporary art. The same is the case for the suitability of Mukařovský’s semiotic model for interpreting the contexts of art history. The concept of structural functionalism can still be considered relevant as the Prague Linguistic Circle’s art and aesthetic theories remain potentially effective tools for semiotic analysis.

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