Crown and Bling Emojis by Katrin Moye

Italian Renaissance symbols and emojis: 

Katrin Moye reflects on how, during the 15th and 16th centuries, most people were illiterate but highly fluent in the pictographic language of signs and symbols. Viewers of an altarpiece in a church, for example, would have immediately understood the significance of elements like a dog, a pomegranate, or a peacock within the imagery.

Katrin was struck by the parallels between these historical symbols and the modern, universally understood lexicon of emojis. To explore this connection, she created a collection of frilled edge bowls, pedestal dishes, and syrup jars that blend Renaissance symbols with emojis. The result challenges viewers to distinguish between the two, revealing overlaps and highlighting the enduring power of visual language.

Frilled edge footed bowl

Earthenware, underglaze, transparent glaze

2024

16.5dia x 7.5h

Photo credit: Kasia Fizser