Country Pick / 2017 / /

Polysemantics

  • Prize
  • Photographer
    Gabe Zimmer, United States

Polysemantics is a visual exploration of the etymological origins of
idiomatic expressions in the English language. By breaking down
idioms into literal interpretations, the series points to a disconnect
between contemporary uses of language from its original intent,
and in turn asks the viewer to closer examine their own
relationship to the words they use. This exercise in wordplay
creates room for new possibilities of meaning and calls to
attention the inherent fluidity of language. The images are
purposefully simple. They exist as meditations on the objects at
play. Polysemantics’ project is circular, going nowhere. It is a
visual reflection on the limits of language, casting an absurd lens
on our attempts to express ourselves with words.