Teken, landskap en kennis : 'n ondersoek na die rol van teken in Suid-Afrikaanse kuns

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This thesis explores the role played by drawings in the creation of knowledge. The studyspecifically focuses on drawings of the South African landscape and how it led toknowledge of our country. The Western perception of the concept of nature in relation toculture or civilisation is investigated by brief reference to a few periods in Westernhistory. It is argued that man and nature was separated in Western thought by theestablishment of rational thinking. This concept led to man's exploitation of nature to hisown advantage. The division between man and nature was broadened in the quest fortechnological advancement. The first European travellers came to South Africa with aWestern mind set, hoping for better economical conditions. The illustrated traveller'sreport reflects the verbal and visual capturing and exploitation of the South Africanlandscape. It is further argued that European travellers tried to structure the landscapeaccording to Western aesthetical traditions. Drawings appear to be picturesque but haveradical political, economical and social implications. Colonial depictions createdknowledge, but in fact symbolically legitimise the expansion of power. Until the middleof the twentieth century Western aesthetic traditions were applied to visual depictions ofthe South African landscape. During this period, artists were uncritical of the oppressivepolitical system and in doing so gave their tacit consent. Ever since the middle of thetwentieth century, several artists voiced their opinions against the unfair policy of theruling political party. Visual images asked subtle questions and gave radical judgements;thus knowledge was created and a contribution made to the freedom of all SouthAfricans. My drawings of South African landscapes are to be understood against thistheoretical background. I use drawings to ask questions about the relationship betweenthe visual image and the establishment of knowledge. I also refer to the relationshipbetween the original and the copy, reality, the photo and the drawing. I conclude thefollowing: drawings lead to the creation of knowledge and landscape depictions haveimplications of power. The solution to this problem lies, in the end, once more IIIdrawings.My depictions of South African landscapes are given as an answer.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University