The expression of the subconscious: Art, Anthropology, and Structuralism

The essay explores the nature of art, drawing from the philosophical concept of "declarative illocutionary action" and the structuralism of Levi-Strauss. While art is often seen as a medium with a singular meaning, it is also a subject of continuous debate, ambiguity, and diverse interpretations. Despite its subjectivity, art is examined as a form of behavior that transcends aesthetics and delves into the realms of culture, consciousness, and society.

The essay argues that art, being a language, a declaration, and a carrier of signs and symbols, is a task of the social scientist to dissect the layers of meaning hidden behind the aesthetics and reveal the inherent codes that testify to the socio-psychological and environmental reality of the era in which the art piece was created.

The essay acknowledges the challenge of subjectivity in art analysis, wherein aesthetics often overshadow the objective construction of an artwork's structure. The evolution of art forms is seen as parallel to the evolution of human behavior and the socio-political and environmental contexts that influence the codes within artworks. As art moves toward abstraction, it reflects a shift in human consciousness. a

In conclusion, this essay underscores the significance of structural analysis in unraveling the intricate web of meaning and codes embedded in art. It posits art as a language and worldview, deserving of systematic analysis to uncover the hidden structures that define human culture, behavior, and societal interactions.