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The Semiotics of Clowns and Clowning: Rituals of Transgression and the Theory of Laughter by Paul Bouissac

The Semiotics of Clowns and Clowning: Rituals of Transgression and the Theory of Laughter

by Paul Bouissac
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Book cover type: Hardcover
  • ISBN13: 9781472521736
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • Subject: N/A
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
  • Publisher Imprint: Bloomsbury Academic
  • Publication Date:
  • Pages: 232
  • Original Price: GBP 150.0
  • Language: English
  • Edition: N/A
  • Item Weight: 531 grams
  • BISAC Subject(s): Circus, Linguistics / Semantics, and Anthropology / Cultural & Social

During the last 300 years circus clowns have emerged as powerful cultural icons. This is the first semiotic analysis of the range of make-up and costumes through which the clowns' performing identities have been established and go on developing. It also examines what Bouissac terms 'micronarratives' - narrative meanings that clowns generate through their acts, dialogues and gestures.

Putting a repertory of clown performances under the semiotic microscope leads to the conclusion that the performances are all interconnected and come from what might be termed a 'mythical matrix'. These micronarratives replicate in context-sensitive forms a master narrative whose general theme refers to the emergence of cultures and constraints that they place upon instinctual behaviour.

From this vantage point, each performance can be considered as a ritual which re-enacts the primitive violence inherent in all cultures and the temporary resolutions which must be negotiated as the outcome. Why do these acts of transgression and re-integration then trigger laughter and wonder? What kind of mirror does this put up to society? In a masterful semiotic analysis, Bouissac delves into decades of research to answer these questions.

Bouissac, Paul: - Paul Bouissac is Professor Emeritus at Victoria College, University of Toronto, Canada. He is a world renowned figure in semiotics and a pioneer of circus studies. He runs runs the Semioticon [https: //smartsemiotics.com], an Open Semiotics Resource Center, which has a global readership.

Paschalidis, Gregory: - Gregory Paschalidis is Professor of Cultural Studies at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece.

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