Visual Manifestations of Primary Metaphors Through Mise-en-scène Techniques

Grady distinguishes two main types of metaphor in order to provide a solution in the controversies stemming from the conceptual theory of metaphor: correlation-based metaphors and resemblance metaphors. In “correlation-based metaphors”, the source domain is sensory-motor, while the target domain is not. On the contrary, “resemblance metaphors” are originated by a physical or conceptual perception which is common in both domains, by the association of concepts with common features. Primary metaphors are the minimal units of correlation-based metaphors; they are inherent in human nature and the result of the nature of our brain, our body and the world that we inhabit. We acquire them automatically and we cannot avoid them. Furthermore, as corporal experiences are universal, so are primary metaphors. In this paper, I will argue that primary metaphors manifest themselves visually through scene-setting techniques such as composition, framing, camera movement or lighting. Film-makers can use the different aspects of mise-en-scène metaphorically in order to express abstract notions like evil, importance, control, relationship or confusion. Such visual manifestations, as also occurs with their verbal equivalents, frequently go unnoticed or have been used so often that they have become clichés. But the important thing to bear in mind is that their origin lies in a primary metaphor and due to this origin these kinds of film-making strategies have been so expressively successful.

Geodynamic events reconstructed in the Betic, Maghrebian, and Apennine chains (central-western Tethys)

A synthetic study has been made to identify main tectono-sedimentary and geodynamic events in central-western Tethys. For this, an interdisciplinary analysis has been performed on successions belonging to tectonic units derived from Betic-Maghrebian-southern Apennine “Flysch basin” domain. The stratigraphic records of the internal, external, and mixed successions deposited in lateral basins of different chains show very similar characters, especially regarding: (a) lithostratigraphy and ages; (b) kind and provenance of supplies (immature and supermature petrofacies from internal and external margins, respectively); (c) presence of “mixed successions” (composed of alternating internal and external petrofacies) attesting to clear palaeogeographic relationships between opposite depositional systems; and (d) timing of the deformation. In addition, specific lithofacies reveal correspondence with similar sedimentary events, such as: (1) very thick silicoclastic supply concentrated in restricted time ranges indicating the main deformational phases in the margin/basin systems; (2) levels rich in black-shales, glauconian, siliceous-producers, and volcaniclastic intercalations, widespread in the studied successions and linked to particular events at the Tethyan scale (anoxic periods, starvation-upwelling, acid-intermediate penecontemporaneous volcanic activity, respectively). Tectonic influence has also been recorded by means of unconformities and tectofacies (such as turbidites, slumps, or olisthostromes, etc.), being correlated with the main deformational phases. Similar stratigraphic and tectonic events have also been found in the Calvana unit of Val Marecchia nappe (Ligurides, northern Apennine). Correlations of stratigraphic and tectonic events support the proposal of an evolutionary geodynamic model involving the presence of a “Mesomediterranean microplate” in intermediate position during Africa-Europe convergence. The closure of central-western Tethys occasioned the Betic-Maghrebian-southern Apennine oceanic branch deformation and the birth of perimediterranean chains during middle-late Miocene.