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THE GOLDEN RATIO IN ARCHITECTURE AS A SIGN OF CULTURAL ANTHROPOMORPHISM // ΠΡΑΞΗMΑ. Journal of Visual Semiotics. 2023. Issue 3 (37). P. 111-121

The sign structure of architectural proportions is investigated. The article aims to analyze the relationship between worldview attitudes and architectural proportions, and to show the dependence of the architectural image on the value and worldview attitudes. An art object determines the configuration of physical space, has the characteristics of a visual sign, and therefore is subject to semiotic interpretation in semantic, syntactic, and pragmatic aspects. Semiotic interpretations of a visual architectural sign are contrasted in semantic and pragmatic aspects. The latter are insufficient for the determination of a number of parameters of architectural forms. The article shows that the definition of a number of parameters of an architectural sign is associated with the ideality of the object of communication; the proportions of an architectural work were chosen in accordance with the proportions of an ideal human body (the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci). The magical model of the universe became the basis for the planning scheme of ancient cities (the hierarchical organization of urban space serves as a metaphor for “city-space”). The result of the study is the opposition of the pragmatic and semiotic aspects of communication, expressed in the proportionality, form, and structure of architecture, while pragmatism is built on the functional reproduction of a simplified sample of the block structure, with the help of which the mass building of modern cities is carried out. “Praxeme” as a communicative sign, the presence of certain structures for translating the human message of non-human essence is fixed, that is, the practical actualization of linguistic meanings is rebuilt and obeys the conceivable subject and the mental image (praxeme of consciousness). Traditional architecture (primarily sacral) visually expresses a certain specific type of culture, representing itself through these forms and proportions. The “anti-humanity” of such buildings, the crushing sensations of the “stone jungle”, the general adverse effect on the psyche are noted. A conclusion is made about the opposition of the pragmatism and sacredness of architecture, expressed in the dispute “beauty versus function”. The need to find compromise solutions is indicated.

Keywords: golden ratio in architecture, anthropomorphism, architectural proportion as language