In most cases, irony is easily recognisable, but owing to its ambiguity, it is sometimes difficult to assign a specific function to it.
Of course, Schama uses the subtitle "Belonging" with full knowledge of its ambiguity, since it names a hope that was to be frustrated in most of Europe.
But where Ms. Kruger's art was ideologically pointed and polemical, Ms. Bonvicini's is not, or only ambiguously so, and its ambiguity is what's distinctive about.
In contrast, an ambiguous word bears its ambiguity directly—simply in virtue of having multiple meanings.
A large part of art's allure is its ambiguity; you can take it as you wish, make of it what you will.
"Question three comes up every year," complained one, "but I didn't answer it because of the remarks over its ambiguity.
It's this giveth-and-taketh-away spirit of boxing that has continued to give it a huge cinematic heritage, and so much of its ambiguity.
The great success of "It's nice to see you" lies, we believe, in its ambiguity concerning former meetings.
Mr. Emmerich was drawn to his first television series by questions it raises about patriotism and "enemy" cultures, as reflected by its "ambiguity about who you're supposed to be rooting for," he said in his trailer.
"Rather, narrative's power springs from its complexity, indeed, its ambiguity".
But the triumph of the performance is its ambiguity.
