The meaning of collections between media and practices: An introduction

Abstract

This article outlines the foundations of a semiotics of collecting, from Wunderkammers or cabinets of curiosities to modern digital phenomena such as NFTs. It examines the extent to which the practice of collecting shares similarities with the semiotic research methodology of creating meaningful analytical corpora. It discusses the market and symbolic aspects of collections, addressing their transformative value and the transition from objects that gain value through collecting to those produced as collectibles in the first place. The role of online platforms in the presentation and valuation of collections is emphasized, particularly in the context of online entertainment and user-generated content; the compulsive nature of modern media consumption makes it comparable to a form of collecting. Collecting must be understood as a theoretical category and epistemological horizon essential to the organization and understanding of objects and concepts in various disciplines.