Lotman and play: For a theory of playfulness based on semiotics of culture

Abstract

Abstract. The aim of the article is to introduce an approach to play based on semiotics of culture and, in particular, grounded in the works and ideas of Juri Lotman. On the one hand, it provides an overview of Lotman's works dedicated to play and games, starting from his article on art among other modelling systems, in which the phenomenon of play is treated deeply, and mentioning Lotman's articles dedicated to various forms of play forms, such as involving dolls and playing cards. On the other hand, it applies a few Lotmanian theories and ideas to playfulness in order to shed some light on this highly debated, as well as intriguing, anthropic activity. Thus, the paper approaches some of the core questions for a play theory, such as the definition of play, the cultural role of toys and playthings, the importance of unpredictability, the position held by playfulness in the semiosphere and, finally, the differences and commonalities between play and art. Lotman's theories and works, often integrated by other existing semiotic or ludologic perspectives offer an extremely insightful and fresh take on play and illustrate the great heuristic potential of semiotics of culture.

Taming Play: A Map of Play Ideologies, from Moral Panic to Gamification

“…In other words, an ideology that accepts the fact that playfulness is "ambiguous" , it is something that can be tamed and controlled but only up to a certain point. Play is not only a chthonian and destructive force to be contained, and excessive control will destroy the freedom that lies at the heart of a playful behavior (Thibault 2016 ). [va bene così?…”

“…This term, introduced by Bonenfant and Genvo ( 2014 ), along with others such as "ludification" or "gamification of culture" , indicates the growing importance and prestige of play in contemporary culture. In semiotic terms, it can be described as a movement of play towards the centre of the semiosphere (Thibault 2016 ). Play is a modeling system that has always been common to all semiospheres, but nowadays, due to several factors, both social and technological (see, e.g., Ortoleva 2012 ), is acquiring an unprecedented centrality.…”

Understanding urban gamification - playful meaning-making in real and digital city spaces

“…Ludicisation then indicates how play is more and more perceived as a fundamental tool for describing and understanding contemporary culture. Ludicisation, in other words, means that society rethinks itself as playoriented (Thibault 2016).…”