At the Edge of Meaning

Abstract

ypographic/calligrap ic symbols of visibl Ia guage are abstract vessels for man's conceptions about spac -time. The perception of their visual form has evolved over millenia, fluctuating in its recognition of their manifold nature as pictographs, ideographs, physical marks on a surface, t a-dimensional and three-d imensional entities. Today the introduction of electronic communication and computers has created strong forces to reshape letterforms. At the boundaries of accepted usage, at the edge of meaning-whether it be in research Ia oratories, in art and design scho Is, or in professi nal studios-new conceptions about the role of these familiar forms are emerging. On the one hand, there is a struggle to create new forms; on the other, there is a return to a better understanding and re-interpretation of older approaches. The question is: where are we now in our understanding of the process of change?