Pragmatics as a Tool For Analyzing The Meaning of Works of Art

Abstract

The research reveals 1. How the work of art is able to be understood by the appreciator what is the intention of the work created by the artist, (2) what steps must be taken in analyzing works of art by utilizing pragmatic tools, (3) how art appreciators respond in understanding works of art created by artists. This research uses a qualitative approach. The data collection technique used interview techniques and observation of artworks. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling technique. Data validity using data source triangulation. To analyze the data, the analysis technique used is means-end analysis technique and contextual analysis (Subroto, 1992). The results showed that the pragmatic approach as a way of communicating that looks at the intent of the speaker is very logical to be used as part of a complete analysis as an effort to develop multi-intelligence, in understanding works of art that are visual interms of the creator's intention in presenting his artwork. The conclusion of this research is that pragmatics as a linguistic science has its own characteristics that can be used as one of the methods in analyzing a work of art.