Critique of the Image

This reading talks about critiquing images according to iconic signs; 'a sign possessing some properties of the object represented.'(Umberto Eco) The author discusses how we can look at an object and remember certain aspects of that object although not all of them. We then see aspects of that object and can infer what it would be without seeing the whole of the object. These codes that we remember are called codes of recognition, memorable portions of an object that can be reflected upon. Eco then goes on to name a list of other types of codes such as perceptive codes, codes of transmission, tonal codes, iconic codes, iconographic codes, codes of taste sensibility, rhetorical codes, stylistic codes, and codes of the unconscious. An iconic code is an object that all people can refer to and notice right away. Such as a man, woman, or lion. An iconographic code would be a more specific icon/symbol which would reference a man or a woman more specifically or relating to a certain mythology. Codes of taste and sensibility call for even more knowledge of a subject. For example, as Eco uses, a flag could represent patriotism or war according to the other codes of the image. All of these codes are relevant to how we look at photographs and why we infer from them what we do in them. Without having a description from the artist, or even with a description, we automatically look at an image and think of certain things right off the top of our head. Like when Thomas had us visualize an image of a Dunkin Donuts coffee cup and tell us what we would read from it. People obviously think right to beverage, caffeine, Styrofoam because those are the most immediate, and possibly obvious, things to us. These codes would be iconic codes. When maybe it has a deeper meaning; a sign of addiction or a comment on corporate chains.