{"product_id":"bouissac-emeritus-paul-professor-the-semiotics-of-clowns-and-clowning-9781472521736","title":"The Semiotics of Clowns and Clowning","description":"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.","brand":"Continnuum-3PL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53714468569430,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0925\/5829\/5382\/files\/product_image_9781472521736_1_7a38d3fb-764a-43a9-9448-8aa9497498dd.jpg?v=1781766638","url":"https:\/\/www.momoxbooks.com\/products\/bouissac-emeritus-paul-professor-the-semiotics-of-clowns-and-clowning-9781472521736","provider":"momoxbooks","version":"1.0","type":"link"}