Discourse analysis I and II have similar characteristics, both share the concern of power and knowledge as it is created through discourse. However, the fundamental difference between them is that discourse analysis II (DA2) is less interested in images themselves. Rather it focuses on the articulation of discourse through institutional apparatuses and institutional technologies (Rose, 2001). Foucault believed that institutions work in two ways, firstly through their apparatus and secondly through their technologies. What is meant by an apparatus is the form of power or knowledge which constitute the institution (Rose, 2001). An examples for this would be its architecture, laws and regulations. The institutional technologies are often difficult to distinguish from the apparatuses however they are the practical techniques used to exercise power or knowledge (Rose, 2001). DA2 moves the focus away from the details of the images and towards their production and uses. It examines how visual images or objects are produced in a certain way by institutional apparatuses and technologies. Furthermore, it analysis how subjectivities are produced. DA2 can be carried out in a physical or virtual institution, a very common examples are museums and art galleries. Carrying out this study usually requires visiting the institution and observing the way people visit and work in them. Furthermore, in order to validate ones’ study photographs are often used in the argumentation.
The methodology of this type of discourse is as follows: firstly, the institutional apparatus of the institution is clarified, this is followed by the description of the technologies of the institution. Next it is examined how the institution produces and disciplines the visitors. The final step is the assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the institution (Rose, 2001).
DA2 can be carried out on Schloss Schönbrun in Vienna, the former castle has been turned into a museum displaying the way royalty lived within the palace. It is an impressive building with magnificent architecture. When wanting to enter there are numerous regulations and therefore institutional apparatuses. When buying ticket one receives a time slot when to enter the palace. Before entering all large belongings have to be left outsie. One is strictly guided through the premises through a personal guide or an audio guide. Furthermore, there are signs at the sealing guiding one where to go. All of these can be considered institutional technologies. Even though everything that is visible within the castle is breath-taking, there is a sense of tension and a constant feeling of observation. It is forbidden to take pictures and to lean on the walls wherefore there are constant security guards walking around watching if someone is trying to break the rules. Due to the fact that there are a lot of people with you in the museum you are constantly being watched, making it more likely that everyone will obey the rules. One is reliant on the institutional technologies as there are no labels on any of the pieces displayed within the museum. If one would try to walk through the exhibition without either type of guidance he would receive no information at all. It is very obvious that the visitors of this institution are disciplined through regulations and other people. The institutional technologies play a fundamental role in this process. Visitors are left with no other option then to obey the regulations and use the technologies to gain information and access the castle visually.
Overall it can be stated that this institution executes power very well, everything is organized to protect the original pieces of the formal royal family. The way surveillance is carried out can very much be related to the Benthams Panopticon. As the regulations are so strict all the visitors are watching each other this hinders the majority of people from violating them. Of course there will always be certain individuals who will go against the law. This type of institution can be analysed very well with discourse analysis II as it is the perfect institution which exercises great amounts of power already beginning with its massive outer architecture.
References
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Rose, G.
(2001). Visual methodologies: An introduction to researching with visual materials. London: Sage.