Semiotics #2 Spotlight Man

Denotations: On surface level, this illustration is of a man's silhouette, holding up a microphone in the spotlight.  He appears to be fairly large and wearing a coat. There is a flat, horizontal line in the background that could be interpreted as the side of a stage. The piece is mostly dark, with the obvious exception of the area within the spotlight.

Connotations: On a deeper level, I believe there is much more to this piece. No, I haven't done research on the artist or the illustrations' historical context, but I feel there is more to it than simply a man in the spotlight and that the artist had purpose in his/her work. I would like to share my interpretations.

The question that first came to my mind is why is the man holding up the microphone rather than speaking into it. I wonder if it is to indicate the power of the voice of the people. What the people have to say may very well be more important than the voice of this man. Partially because spotlights bring to my mind thoughts of professionalism and presentation, I believe him to be a performer whose actions are dictated by the will of the people. Indeed, he has put himself out in the open to win the praise of strangers. However, to understand their will can be a difficult task if you cannot hear them. Perhaps, he cannot even see them (for there is no audience actually illustrated). In what might be a moment of desperation, he puts the microphone out to them, so that he can hear, rather than be heard.

Of course, that interpretation could be completely wrong. Perhaps he is not on a stage and perhaps there is no audience. Indeed, maybe it is not the story of an entertainer and instead that of a religious man. He may be alone at night in a city. The spotlight could be a street light or a light from the heavens. This man could be showing his faith in God and His desire to hear His voice. He may feel lost or abandoned in this world and wanting only to know God's will.

Conclusions: Honestly, I don't know what this artwork means. But I do feel moved by its somber appearance. Maybe it only means what you feel it means. If you're a very social person, you may feel it represents your desire to hear the voices of your peers. If you're a very religious person, you may come to believe it symbolizes the importance of giving heed to the word of God. Either way, or another way altogether, it is beautiful in its own right. Behold the man in the spotlight as you see fit.