Mimesis as a phenomenon of semiotic communication

The concept of mimesis is not very often used in the contemporary semiotic dialogue. This article introduces several views on this concept, and on the basis of these, mimesis is comprehended as a phenomenon of communication. By highlighting different semantic dimensions of the concept, mimesis is seen as being composed of phases of communication and as such, it is connected with imitation, representation, iconicity and other semiotic concepts. The goal of this article is to introduce possibilities for understanding and using the notion of mimesis in connection with some semiotic concepts and views. In everyday use, the word ‘mimesis’ is mainly understood in connection with the terms ‘representation’ or ‘imitation’. The Concise OED explains ‘mimesis’ as 1. imitative representation of the real world in art and literature; 2. the deliberate imitation of the behaviour of one group of people by another as a factor in social change; 3. zoology mimicry of another animal or plant. (Pearsall 2002: 905) Under this surface of meanings there is the myriad of connections and connotations which engage ‘mimesis’ to many historical layers of culture, making it quite difficult to define. As a concept, mimesis originates from Antique philosophy. Through the course of history different schools and authors have used it, thus making ‘mimesis’ one of the classical concepts of Western philosophy. The meanings and uses of ‘mimesis’ have varied remark-