The symbol and the thing

The symbol and the thing April 20, 2005

Posted by Andy Roberts in : hi res photos , trackback

This is an illustration of one instance of the difference between a symbol and a thing.

First, a map which is a symbolic representation of a real place, called Penpol creek.

The symbol and the thing penpol

( Go back to the previous post about google maps if you want to scroll around there a further afield )

Now here’s a thumbnail and hi-res photograph of Penpol creek.

But that is still only a photograph, a digital object which captures a a tiny fragment from only the visual information which was available at one particular moment in time from one chosen viewpoint. The relationship between the photograph and actually being there for that moment could be likened to the difference between the map and the picture.

A short while later…….