"No single word in English captures the play of signification of the ancient Greek word, pharmakon. Derrida traces the meanings assigned to pharmakon in Plato's dialogues: remedy, poison (either the cure or the illness or its cause), philter, drug, recipe, charm, medicine, substance, spell, artificial color, and paint. The word pharmakon is overdetermined, signifying in so many ways that the very notion of signification gets overloaded. A translation problem? Yes and no. In choosing one meaning translators often decide what in Plato's texts remains undecidable. But as indicated above, the problem is inherent in its very principle, situated less in the translation from one language to another, than already within the Greek language itself." Marcel Cobussen
ps. as in a dream, i recall having already mentioned pharmakon in the Serendipitous Garden, in the past (or a mythical time?) - i am not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me, since the Garden itself is an incarnation of the pharmakon.
But what a beautiful poison:) Lovely shot!
ReplyDeleteBeauty to die for???
ReplyDeleteLove it, dear bro!
Maybe that weeds roots can live dormant for years and sprout from root like bindweed - I will have to print off your description for my file!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
This is so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIf's it's oleander it is poison, beautiful capture.
ReplyDeleteOnce again your color treatment is so original, subtle, sensitive. I'm in love with that signature creaminess!
ReplyDeleteBut so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the warning! But these double oleander blooms are really beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWow, I love them. Your blog is so beautiful. Thanks for your visit. Have a wonderful weekend.
ReplyDelete"No single word in English captures the play of signification of the ancient Greek word, pharmakon. Derrida traces the meanings assigned to pharmakon in Plato's dialogues: remedy, poison (either the cure or the illness or its cause), philter, drug, recipe, charm, medicine, substance, spell, artificial color, and paint. The word pharmakon is overdetermined, signifying in so many ways that the very notion of signification gets overloaded. A translation problem? Yes and no. In choosing one meaning translators often decide what in Plato's texts remains undecidable. But as indicated above, the problem is inherent in its very principle, situated less in the translation from one language to another, than already within the Greek language itself."
ReplyDeleteMarcel Cobussen
So I have been told, but mostly for sheep. So I have three in my garden ...
ReplyDeleteps. as in a dream, i recall having already mentioned pharmakon in the Serendipitous Garden, in the past (or a mythical time?) - i am not sure, but it wouldn't surprise me, since the Garden itself is an incarnation of the pharmakon.
ReplyDeleteyes poison, but so beautiful ! have a nice week
ReplyDeleteProspero