意象论:意中之象与视觉修辞分析

On Image:“Image” in Meaning and Visual Rhetoric Analysis

在视觉话语表征体系中,意象生产是一种常见的视觉修辞实践。所谓意象,就是意中之"象",强调意与象的结合。在中国古代文论传统中,"象"具有积极的媒介功能,其"出场"的目的就是缓解"言"与"意"之间的尴尬和矛盾,"立象以尽意"。"意"强调象征之意,而"象"则指向一定的物象,对应的是既定的形式。意象生成具有积极的物象基础,强调视觉意义上形式与象征的结合,即"象"进入到一定的象征系统,成为一个携"意"之符。在视觉修辞实践中,视觉意象是分层次的,具体包括原型意象、概念意象、符码意象三种基本的意象形态。三种意象形态在生成原理、视觉形式、理论话语上都存在一定差异,而在具体的视觉修辞实践中又具有积极的对话基础。

In the representation system of visual discourses,the production of image is an not uncommon visual rhetorical practice.Image is"image"in meaning,which emphasizes the articulation of image and meaning.In the Chinese traditional literacy theory,"image"comes on the stage for the adequate meaning expression.Physical image provides a foundation for the production of image,which emphasizes the articulation of form and symbol in the visual level.Namely,"image"enters into a symbol system and becomes a sign with"meaning".In visual rhetorical practices,image has different types and generational dimensions,including archetypal image,conceptual image,and symbolic image.Different in meaning mechanism,visual forms and theoretical discourses,these three types of visual image still have a foundation for positive dialogues in concrete visual rhetorical practices.