Luiz Tatit: art and theory

Abstract

This paper aims at applying Semiotics to song as object of study, by merging Song Semiotics, developed by the theorist Luiz Tatit, and a song of his own as well. The artistic object to be analysed is “Universo”, a partnership working between Luiz Tatit and his brother, Paulo Tatit. Apart from Song Semiotics, this paper will invoke other Semiotics approaches, from French origin, mainly Tensive grammar, according to Claude Zilberberg’s developments at Semiotics. From Song Semiotics, we’ll show the labour of “cancionista” (similar to songwriter’s one), “tematização” and “figurativização” of song (concepts intrinsic to Song Semiotics); from Tensive grammar, we’ll see system of graduation, “function of hurling”, concepts of triage and merge, density of presence and tensivity graphic; from Narrative and Discursive Semiotics, the Generative process, virtualization/realization and manipulation; at last, from Glossematics, we’ll see the plans of content and of expression.