Signifying Nothing

The Semiotics of Zero

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by Brian Rotman

Stanford University Press

Due/Published June 1993, 111 pages, paper

ISBN 0804721297

One of my favorite books of this kind, originally published by St. Martin's in 1987. Rotman demonstrates the introduction into Western culture of zero, the vanishing point inpainting, and imaginary money in economic exchange as isomorphic signifying moves. In each case, he analyzes this move in terms of a meta-sign indicating the absence of other signs, illustrating the underlying identity behind the disruptions--from Roman to Hindu numerals, from iconic to perspectival art, from gold money to imaginary bank money--within three major codes during the Renaissance

Through discussions of algebra, paper money, paintings by Vermeer and Valasquez, Montaigne's Essays, Shakespeare's King Lear, the Kabbalah, Greek-Christian notions of the void, the deconstructed text, and the formation of the Eurodollar (in 1987!), Rotman traces the complex interactions between the meta-signs engendered by zero and the significance of nothing.

Tis really is a wonderful book on the subject.