Chapter Eighteen: Traditional Arts of Asia

							         Chapter Eighteen: Traditional Arts of Asia

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

            This Chapter Will:
             survey traditional forms and styles of Asian art
             trace the progression of ideas that have permeated Asian societies


CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

            The Student Will:
             become familiar with traditional forms and styles of Asian art
             gain an understanding of the historical and cultural events that
               influenced Asian art


CHAPTER OUTLINE

               India
                    Buddhist Art
                    Hindu Art
               Southeast Asia
               China
               Japan

            Focus
            Biography: “Strange and Great”: Bada Shanren


VOCABULARY
        prana
        stupa
        bodhisattva
        garba griha
        literati painting
        pagoda
        haboku
        ukiyo-e




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LECTURE AND DISCUSSION IDEAS

1. Compare and contrast Hindu and Buddhist sculpture. Which style suggests
   movement and which style a feeling of rest? How are these sculptures a reflection of
   the religious practices they represent?

2. How are the following forms of architecture a reflection of the religious practices and
   beliefs of the specific philosophical faith they house? Consider these structures from
   the text:
       The Great Stupa at Sanchi (figure 453a & b, page 316)
       Kandariya Mahadeva Temple (figure 458, page 318)
       Borobudur (figure 461, page 322)
       Angkor Wat (figure 462, page 323)
       Horyuji Temple (figure 476, page 334)
       Main Shrine at Ise (figure 475, page 334)

3. How is the Eastern landscape tradition markedly different from that of the West?
   Emphasize the intention of Eastern artists to evoke in the viewer a meditative
   contemplation of visual imagery, through atmospheric perspective, placement and
   asymmetry. Also, stress the reverence for nature and calligraphy as primary subject.

4. Discuss the authors’ statement describing the status of calligraphy as an art form:
   “Calligraphy is often more profound than painting…. That artists paint their poems as
   much as they write their paintings.”

5. Ukiyo-e prints were extremely popular among late 19th century artists. Why?
   Discuss their visual appeal.


ASSIGNMENTS AND PROJECTS

Writing Assignments

18.1 Atmospheric Space
Have students find a 20th century work that utilizes space in a fashion similar to Chinese
landscape painting, utilizing the empty areas as well as the painted ones. They should
write an essay that includes their reflective thoughts about the study of each work

18.2 Japanese Architecture and Frank Lloyd Wright
Have students research Japanese architecture and write about its influential aspects on
American architect Frank Lloyd Wright (see figure 368, pages 248-249). A discussion of
simplicity of design and respect for the integrity of materials should be included in
students’ essays.




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18.3 Hindu Sculpture
Have students visit Companion Website and link to the site on the sculptures at Angkor
of Cambodia to look at the sculpture. They should determine their significance in the
Hindu religion by finding definitions of the following terms: Bodhisattva, Mahabarata,
Ramayana and Apsara at the site.


Art Projects

18.4 Ritual Vessel Design
Have students design a Shang style ritual vessel that incorporates various zoomorphic
references using oil pastels, paper and a toothpick.
 Coat the paper’s surface with a heavy layer of yellow ochre and white. Rub the
    mixture into the paper
 Thickly draw the silhouette of a utilitarian vessel (such as a vase, pitcher, and bucket)
    with green. Add zoomorphic shapes and designs with black. Blend where desired.
 Scratch designs into the form with a toothpick (rub over any mistake) allowing the
    yellow-white to come through. Finish by coloring the background with any bright
    hue.

18.5 Japanese Perspective
Using oil pastels and colored construction paper, have students create an abstracted view
of nature as in Waves at Matsushima by Sotatsu. (figure 480, page 338)

18.6 Chinese Landscape
Have students create a Chinese landscape painting using ink and brush. Their landscape
may be based on improvisation and memory. Starting with the shape of a rock or a
mountain, instruct students to combine elements of earth, water, air, and vegetation until
a landscape evolves. Have them place a tiny figure in their work to give a sense of scale
to the view. A Japanese or Chinese brush and ink may be used: instruct students to hold
the brush high and straight for thin lines and gradually press down for thicker line. Use a
variety of texture marks and thin out the ink with some water for lighter values.

18.7 Miniature Fable
Have students create a miniature painting that depicts a fable or story of their culture. See
Hindu Deities Krishna and Radha in a Grove (figure 460, page 321).

18.8 Freeze Frame
Have students draw a proposal for a sculpture that depicts a figure frozen in movement,
representative of a spiritual activity or ceremony such as yoga, meditation, rock climbing,
dancing, etc. and framed in a shape connected with the activity. See Shiva Nataraja, Lord
of the Dance (figure 459, page 320).




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RESOURCES

Companion Website
Remember to direct students to the Companion Website for further assignments and
links that relate to the topics in this chapter.


Suggested Sites:            Angkor of Cambodia (Chapter 18)
                            Chinese architecture (Chapter 18)

Suggested Videos
Meishu: Travels in Chinese Art. Survey (3 videos, 55 minutes each)
Ming Garden. Architecture and environmental design (28 minutes)
Chinese Art: Of Heaven, Earth, and Man. Overview (29 minutes)
A Day in the Grand Canal with the Emperor of China, or Surface is Illusion but
        So is Depth. David Hockney discusses Chinese scroll painting (46 minutes)
Paper and Silk: The Conservation of Asian Works of Art (28 minutes)
Great Tales in Asian Art. Overview (82 minutes)
Daimyo. Japanese culture (30 minutes)
Discovering the Art of Korea. Overview (58 minutes)
Textile Magicians. Japanese textiles (30 minutes)
Art of Indonesia: Tales from the Shadow World. Overview (28 minutes)




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