How to Explain Artworks Using Intertextuality ? - By: Balvinder singh

The concept of Intertextuality was first put forward by Russian philosopher Mikhail Bakhtin. In simple terms, intertextuality means that nothing in this world is original and everything is inspired from something else. This is what provides it with a context. According to Bakhtin (1981) “intertextuality is the discursive space that makes any text intelligible”. This means that any text assumes significance when it builds on or refutes the existing arguments, opinions of earlier works done by other people. The concept of intertextuality goes against the notion of the autonomy or originality of a text as the text becomes relevant only when explained from other’s point of views. Culler (2004) calls the concept of autonomy of an artist is a misnomer. The impact of intertextuality is felt in every sphere of life be it in one’s beliefs, actions, speeches or artworks. There are several theories proposed by philosophers to explain the nuances of intertextuality.

This essay explains the concept of intertextuality using two artworks: my own Adage and Michael Campau’s Waste Not Want Not.

Intertextuality is a closely related to Bakhtin’s concept of heteroglossia (1981). According to the concept of heteroglossia, any artwork or piece of text becomes powerful when there is conflict and coexistence of different characters produced by other artists or authors in it (Bakhtin, 1981). According to Bakhtin, this does not necessarily goes against the ethos of author’s originality, but provides the artwork with a manifestation of one’s own subconscious. The multiple voices in the text lend it a unique singular combination and this is what provides the text with the originality. My artwork Adage is loosely inspired from Campau’s Waste Not Want Not. There is visible three-dimensional text which brings out the theme of both the artworks. However, my artwork carries some unique features from other artworks as well. The spark and the red background is inspired from image of fire while Campau’s artwork has a spatial feel to it which is also inspired from some other place.

There are various influences of outside work in both the artworks. However, what separates one from the other is how the author interprets the multiple voices. This shows that it is the unique combination of multiple voices which lends originality to each artwork.

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