Mathematical Theory of Communication on Art
Shannon and Weaver’s Mathematical Theory of Communication is probably the most influential of all communication models; and has been used as a guide from which many contemporary communication theories have emerged.
The theory’s large influence on communication studies has also led some to claim that the theory is widely applicable to human communication.
In this essay, I will be analyzing how artworks are used to communicate messages and ideas to the general audience with the use of this theory. For the first part, I will briefly introduce the theory as a general entity. I will follow with my analysis.
The Mathematical Theory of Communication
The Mathematical Theory of Communication, hereinafter be referred to as the Mathematical Model, consists of several elements. The first five elements namely, Information Source, Transmitter, Channel, Receiver and Destination are all connected in a linear fashion. The sixth element, Noise Source, is connected to the Channel. The model is illustrated below (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Mathematical Theory of Communication
The Information Source is what produces the message. A Transmitter encodes the message into a signal and is passed through a Channel. The Receiver then decodes a message from the signal and is passed to the Destination. Noise Source is anything added to the signal that is not intended by the Information Source and distorts the message.
Using this model, there are many ways an artwork can communicate a message.
The first instance is when an artwork is both the Information Source and Transmitter and the audience the Destination and Receiver. In the second instance the artist is the Information Source, the artwork the Channel and the audience, again, the Destination. The third instance is when an arts manager is placed into the equation.
The Artwork and Audience
The first instance is probably the ‘cleanest’ of the three ways proposed, involving two parties, the artwork and the audience. A
The theory’s large influence on communication studies has also led some to claim that the theory is widely applicable to human communication.
In this essay, I will be analyzing how artworks are used to communicate messages and ideas to the general audience with the use of this theory. For the first part, I will briefly introduce the theory as a general entity. I will follow with my analysis.
The Mathematical Theory of Communication
The Mathematical Theory of Communication, hereinafter be referred to as the Mathematical Model, consists of several elements. The first five elements namely, Information Source, Transmitter, Channel, Receiver and Destination are all connected in a linear fashion. The sixth element, Noise Source, is connected to the Channel. The model is illustrated below (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Mathematical Theory of Communication
The Information Source is what produces the message. A Transmitter encodes the message into a signal and is passed through a Channel. The Receiver then decodes a message from the signal and is passed to the Destination. Noise Source is anything added to the signal that is not intended by the Information Source and distorts the message.
Using this model, there are many ways an artwork can communicate a message.
The first instance is when an artwork is both the Information Source and Transmitter and the audience the Destination and Receiver. In the second instance the artist is the Information Source, the artwork the Channel and the audience, again, the Destination. The third instance is when an arts manager is placed into the equation.
The Artwork and Audience
The first instance is probably the ‘cleanest’ of the three ways proposed, involving two parties, the artwork and the audience. A