Exercise – Symbols

A symbol is something which represents an idea, a physical entity or a process but is distinct from it. The purpose of a symbol is to communicate meaning. (Wikipedia).
Symbols can be large, small, complex or simple – it does not matter as long as they act to represent the idea. Some are common (a red cross), others are very culture dependant (a red crescent). The meaning of symbols can change over time, and changes within populations, for instance, across generations.

Starting thought:
Growth:

1.  The process of growing.

2.  Full development; maturity.

3.  Development from a lower or simpler to a higher or more complex form; evolution.

• a tip of a plant or a bud
  • a plant pushing though snow
  • a giant sunflower
• a wall height chart
• a child standing next to a wall chart to measure height
• or a teenager clearly overtopping the chart
• hands
• large and small together

Excess: 

1. The state of exceeding what is normal or sufficient

2. An amount or quantity beyond what is normal or sufficient; a surplus.

3. The amount or degree by which one quantity exceeds another:

4. Intemperance; overindulgence

• fat
  • a fat person (very politically incorrect)
• rubbish heaps
• left-overs on a plate
• something pouring over the edge of a plate - custard and apple crumble? 
• XS 
• very large and over a photo of something else - possibly people, or a pile of sweets

Crime:

1. An act committed or omitted in violation of a law forbidding or commanding it and for which punishment is imposed upon conviction.

2. Unlawful activity

3. A serious offense, especially one in violation of morality.

4. An unjust, senseless, or disgraceful act or condition

• graffiti
  • sprayed walls,
  • gang symbols
• broken bottles – in a corner, kicked to one side
• broken windows
• boarded up houses
• police vans

Silence:

1. The condition or quality of being or keeping still and silent.

2. The absence of sound; stillness.

3. A period of time without speech or noise.

4. Refusal or failure to speak out.

• mist/fog
  • very minimalist picture just showing trees only just visible
• snow
• praying hands
• people kneeling in a church
• graveyard
• tombstones

Poverty:

Fundamentally, poverty is a denial of choices and opportunities, a violation of human dignity. It means lack of basic capacity to participate effectively in society. It means not having enough to feed and clothe a family, not having a school or clinic to go to, not having the land on which to grow one’s food or a job to earn one’s living, not having access to credit. It means insecurity, powerlessness and exclusion of individuals, households and communities. It means susceptibility to violence, and it often implies living in marginal or fragile environments, without access to clean water or sanitation. (United Nations)

• empty hands
• a bag lady
• the big issue
• beggars in the street
• boarded up houses (again) 
• a cardboard box containing a few pennies