A Work of Art as an Object for Interpretation in the View of Umberto Eco’s Theory

Abstract

The article outlines the characteristics of interpretating artworks. The author proceeds from Umberto Eco’s theory of “openness”, according to which the process of perceiving an artwork is centered on the recipient, who inevitably adds their “existential situation” to the information received. The author aims to demonstrate the way Eco’s theory promotes awareness of the limits of interpretation, determined by such factors as historicity, context and integrity of the text, while the society acts as its guarantor. The author brings out that a work of art is always “broader” than its author; otherwise stated, it has the potential to generate new cultural meanings. Additionally, the author highlights that the interpreter relies on the so-called “zero-degree values” to explore the text’s every potential (including meanings beyond the author’s original intention), which are shaped by the historical and socio-cultural context. This theoretical review provides every fact to conclude that, despite the range of approaches to analysing artworks is supposed to expand under new information and communication technologies, Eco’s methodological system of studying the prerequisites and constraints of interpretation should be considered universally applicable and could be exploited to investigate new forms of communication.

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