Curating Through Signs

Semiotic Approaches to Contemporary Exhibition Practice

By: Mieke Bal

Write A Review

Hardcover | 12 November 2026

At a Glance

Format
Hardcover

Dimensions(cm)
23.4 x 15.6

Hardcover

RRP $210.00

$184.75

12%OFF

or 4 interest-free payments of $46.19 with

or

Ships in 3 to 5 business days

In this interdisciplinary book, renowned cultural theorist Mieke Bal brings a semiotic lens to curatorial practice, presenting curating and art-making as dynamic sites of meaning-making. Grounded in semiotics, the book delves into how signs and their interactions shape not only art but also the processes of curation, teaching, and engagement with culture.

Examining various case studies, including her own filmmaking alongside research by Michael Ann Holly, curatorial work by Kyoo Lee, sculptures by Doris Salcedo, urban art by migrants and refugees, and classroom interactions, the book conceptualises curating as a participatory practice. Whether in museums, classrooms, or other contexts, it demonstrates how curating can facilitate a shift from traditional, passive forms of viewing art to a more immersive, participatory form of âseeing".

Designed for scholars, curators and students, this book extends Balâs influential work on visual culture into the realm of curatorial practice, demonstrating how these practices can transform both the spaces in which art is presented and the way it is experienced.

Shipping

	Standard Shipping	Express Shipping
Metro postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Regional postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95
Rural postcodes:	$9.99	$14.95

Orders over $79.00 qualify for free shipping.

How to return your order

At Booktopia, we offer hassle-free returns in accordance with our returns policy. If you wish to return an item, please get in touch with Booktopia Customer Care.

Additional postage charges may be applicable.