Hand Gestures simultaneously contain expression, semiotic context and performace, which makes them a very culturally specific language. This project explores the ambiguous nature of these gestures by juxtaposing culturally different but similar hand gestures with found language. The project's open-ended nature gives viewers the oppurtunity to create their own connections and invent their own stories while providing space for individal interpretation of each gestures meaning.

 

The definitions used to describe each gesture are drawn from historical sources; the video footage of hand gestures is taken from popular culture. In combination, these juxtapositions - which at times refute, and at times support one another - give the project a humourous, satirical quality. The project aims to question what a culture considers normal and abnormal by drawing attention to the contradictory meanings but similar forms of hand gestures from a range of cultures.

Stage 1: Exploring Hand Gestures by translating them using a glow-stick

Stage 2: Using hand gestures as an alternative language to create narrations, method used for the purpose is chromaphotography.

Stage 3: Final Project:

Creating a documentation of gestures from different sources and cultures with varying meanings in a motion media, as motion is an inherent quality in describing the meaning of a gesture, and juxtaposing them together with the help of two screens.

 

To describe the meaning of these gestures the language has been sourced from a found document such as “The Dictionary of Wit, Wisdom and Satire” by Herbert Prochnow. This adds a humoristic value to the project.