A IX E F: Symbols in the everyday life of the city

Abstract

This paper reflects on the significations of the ‘mental life’ of the city that are represented by the material symbols on display. In trying to comprehend the public display of fascist era ‘art’ in the city of Trieste, it addresses an example of trying to make sense of the ‘impossible’. Reassured of the contested nature of such displays, the paper reflects further on the power of symbols in fascism and how different countries have addressed their legacy. Confirmed of their danger, we examine the risk of leaving their significance unanalysed and contextualise this in a comparison of the respective approaches of Italy and of Germany. We also consider the potential impacts of toleration, and normalisation, of such artefacts.

Keywords:

• symbols
• art
• fascism
• silence
• toleration

Notes

1. Robbe‐Grillet discusses the relationship of meaning and information in information theory, pointing out that ‘the meaning of a message is linked to its probability, whereas the information is linked to its improbability’ (1977, 7). To be told, in Chicago, in August, that it is not freezing outside, he says, is to be told something that is highly probable, and thus is a comment that contains minimal information but that is replete with meaning. Conversely, to be told that it is freezing is a comment ‘so improbable that, as a matter of fact, you would scarcely understand it’ (Robbe‐Grillet 1977, 6) – its information content is very ‘strong’ but its meaning is very ‘weak’. Of course, Robbe‐Grillet was writing before current concerns about global warming!

2. This may seem paradoxical. In information theory, redundancy appears as an aid to the ‘correct’ reception of the intended message. However, increased redundancy can be seen in terms of an increase in numbers of signifiers. Whilst this may help to ensure the transmission of the intended message, it also inevitably increases the opportunity for parallel alternative messages – in other words, for deconstructive readings. In rhetoric, however, redundancy signifies unnecessary embellishment. Accordingly, our usage of the term ‘redundancy’ here owes more to its usage in rhetoric than in information theory.