kornizës

Kornizë is the Albanian term for a frame or border surrounding an object. The form kornizës is an inflected variant used in sentences, and the concept covers both physical borders around artworks, windows, or openings, as well as the figurative idea of framing a subject in discourse or presentation.

Etymology and scope: The word kornizë is borrowed from Romance languages, commonly linked to Italian cornice or French cornice, with roots referring to a projecting molding or border. In Albanian usage, it applies to both decorative and functional frames found in art, architecture, and everyday objects.

Types and materials: Physical frames come in various materials, including wood, metal, and plastic. In art and photography, frames often include a mat and glass or acrylic glazing, designed to protect the work and provide mounting. In architecture, window and door frames serve structural and weather-sealing roles, while decorative mouldings at walls, ceilings, or openings are also described as frames.

Media, framing, and meaning: In addition to its tangible sense, kornizë is used in a figurative context to describe framing—the way a subject is composed in a work or presented in text and speech. In photography, film, and visual design, framing determines focus, balance, and interpretive emphasis; in communication, framing influences audience perception and interpretation.

Conservation and care: Proper framing supports preservation, including acid-free mats, UV-protective glazing, and suitable mounting methods. Regular checks for warping, loosening joints, and moisture help maintain the frame and the work it protects.