Reception and Critique of Albanian Post-Socialist Art Movements: A Semiotic/Ideological Reading of Albanian Pyramids

• In Event: 398 - Section on Marxist Sociology Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Section on Marxist Sociology Roundtables (one-hour). Table 01. Critical Issues in Culture and Communication

Abstract

As the Republic of Albania was effectively isolated from the rest of the world for almost fifty years, this research explores the reception and critique of emerging art movements in Albania after the fall of communism. Using some of Adorno’s notions of art, we analyze the artworks themselves as a diagnosis of the present social condition of Albania and as a critique of that condition. Following Voloshinov’s Marxism and the Philosophy of Language and Roland Barthes’ The Fashion System, we undertake a semiotic and ideological reading of the leading blog on art, called Albanian Pyramids, and Albanian newspaper coverage of art openings. This research employs qualitative content analysis of visual art works that were exhibited at independent art galleries in the Albanian capital of Tirana. The analysis of these works by Albanian newspapers coupled with the examination of local commentary from an independent art blog provide a unique insight into the reception and critique of new visual art movements in post-socialist Albania. In the conclusion of this paper, the authors discuss the limitations of the research as well as recommendations for further explorations of future research.

Authors

• Jorge Candelario Gonzalez, University of Texas-San Antonio

• Jeffrey A. Halley, University of Texas-San Antonio