UNDERSTANDING SYMBOLIC NARRATIVES THROUGH ART:  THE ROLE OF PAINTINGS IN SEVERANCE

Sinem Ünal Gerdan; Serdar Dartar

Article Details

UNDERSTANDING SYMBOLIC NARRATIVES THROUGH ART: THE ROLE OF PAINTINGS IN SEVERANCE

Authors:

Sinem Ünal Gerdan | Serdar Dartar

Publisher:

Erciyes University

Main Topics:

Güzel Sanatlar

Journal:

Erciyes Akademi Vol.39 Issue 3, pp.759-780

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358963

pISSN:

2757-7031

Keywords:

Abstract:

 With the widespread influence of visual culture through digital platforms, television series have evolved beyond mere entertainment into narrative structures where art, ideology, and cultural codes are actively reproduced. These series function as powerful tools for conveying messages that shape societal norms and values. This study aims to analyze the artworks featured in the series Severance through the symbolic language of visual narrative. The paintings used in the series are not merely decorative backgrounds; rather, they serve as compelling visual devices that convey themes such as corporate ideology, power relations, identity formation, and psychological transformation. Referencing a broad spectrum of art historyfrom Baroque to Romanticism, Neoclassicism to the allegorical imagery of Brueghel and Goyathese visual elements deepen the fictional universe of the series while offering viewers a space for critical engagement. Employing methods such as visual analysis, iconographic and iconological interpretation, this study explores the narrative function of the paintings, their connections to historical art movements, and their relationship to the inner worlds of the characters. In doing so, Severance is evaluated as both a dystopian critique of corporate life and a multi-layered narrative of cultural memory through the lens of visual arts.

 With the widespread influence of visual culture through digital platforms, television series have evolved beyond mere entertainment into narrative structures where art, ideology, and cultural codes are actively reproduced. These series function as powerful tools for conveying messages that shape societal norms and values. This study aims to analyze the artworks featured in the series Severance through the symbolic language of visual narrative. The paintings used in the series are not merely decorative backgrounds; rather, they serve as compelling visual devices that convey themes such as corporate ideology, power relations, identity formation, and psychological transformation. Referencing a broad spectrum of art historyfrom Baroque to Romanticism, Neoclassicism to the allegorical imagery of Brueghel and Goyathese visual elements deepen the fictional universe of the series while offering viewers a space for critical engagement. Employing methods such as visual analysis, iconographic and iconological interpretation, this study explores the narrative function of the paintings, their connections to historical art movements, and their relationship to the inner worlds of the characters. In doing so, Severance is evaluated as both a dystopian critique of corporate life and a multi-layered narrative of cultural memory through the lens of visual arts.

 With the widespread influence of visual culture through digital platforms, television series have evolved beyond mere entertainment into narrative structures where art, ideology, and cultural codes are actively reproduced. These series function as powerful tools for conveying messages that shape societal norms and values. This study aims to analyze the artworks featured in the series Severance through the symbolic language of visual narrative. The paintings used in the series are not merely decorative backgrounds; rather, they serve as compelling visual devices that convey themes such as corporate ideology, power relations, identity formation, and psychological transformation. Referencing a broad spectrum of art historyfrom Baroque to Romanticism, Neoclassicism to the allegorical imagery of Brueghel and Goyathese visual elements deepen the fictional universe of the series while offering viewers a space for critical engagement. Employing methods such as visual analysis, iconographic and iconological interpretation, this study explores the narrative function of the paintings, their connections to historical art movements, and their relationship to the inner worlds of the characters. In doing so, Severance is evaluated as both a dystopian critique of corporate life and a multi-layered narrative of cultural memory through the lens of visual arts.

 Dijital platformlar aracılığıyla görsel kültürün yaygınlaşmasıyla birlikte, televizyon dizileri sadece eğlence araçları olmaktan çıkmış, aynı zamanda sanat, ideoloji ve kültürel kodların yeniden üretildiği anlatı yapıları haline gelmiştir. Bu diziler, toplumsal normları ve değerleri şekillendiren önemli bir araç olarak izleyicilere çeşitli mesajlar iletmektedir. Bu çalışma, Severance dizisinde yer alan sanat eserlerini, görsel anlatının sembolik dili üzerinden çözümlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Dizide kullanılan tablolar, yalnızca estetik bir arka plan değil; aynı zamanda kurumsal ideoloji, güç ilişkileri, bireysel kimlik arayışı ve psikolojik dönüşüm gibi temaları görselleştiren güçlü anlatı araçlarıdır. Baroktan Romantizme, Neoklasisizmden Brueghel ve Goyanın alegorik imgelerine kadar uzanan sanat tarihi referansları hem dizinin kurgusal evrenini derinleştirmekte hem de izleyiciye eleştirel bir okuma alanı sunmaktadır. Görsel analiz, ikonografik ve ikonolojik yorumlama gibi yöntemlerle yapılan bu incelemede, tabloların anlatı içindeki işlevi, tarihsel sanat akımlarıyla kurdukları bağlar ve karakterlerin içsel dünyasıyla olan ilişkileri ortaya konmuştur. Böylece Severance, görsel sanatlar aracılığıyla hem distopik bir işyeri eleştirisi hem de kültürel hafızaya dair katmanlı bir anlatı örneği olarak değerlendirilmiştir.

Article Details

UNDERSTANDING SYMBOLIC NARRATIVES THROUGH ART: THE ROLE OF PAINTINGS IN SEVERANCE

Authors:

Sinem Ünal Gerdan | Serdar Dartar

Publisher:

Erciyes University

Main Topics:

Güzel Sanatlar

Journal:

Erciyes Akademi Vol.39 Issue 3, pp.759-780

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358963

pISSN:

2757-7031

Severance

Visual Analysis

Symbolism

Painting

Art and Television StudiesSeverance

Görsel Analiz

Sembolizm

Resim Sanatı

Sanat ve Dizi İlişkisi

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Sinem Ünal Gerdan | Serdar Dartar

Publisher: Erciyes University

Main Topics: Güzel Sanatlar

Journal: Erciyes Akademi Vol.39 Issue 3, pp.759-780

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 9/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001358963

pISSN: 2757-7031

Issues

Authors:

Sinem Ünal Gerdan | Serdar Dartar

Publisher:

Erciyes University

Main Topics:

Güzel Sanatlar

Journal:

Erciyes Akademi Vol.39 Issue 3, pp.759-780

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

9/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001358963

pISSN:

2757-7031