{"product_id":"books-the-semiotics-of-clowns-and-clowning-by-emeritus-paul-bouissac","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":"World of Books ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53673312682257,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/4072\/6801\/files\/9781472532787.jpg?v=1781524882","url":"https:\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/products\/books-the-semiotics-of-clowns-and-clowning-by-emeritus-paul-bouissac","provider":"World of Books ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}