tips fro hard work

Chapter 17: Traditional Arts of Asia

As we look at the art of Asia, notice how the human form is rendered compared to the

Classical West.

Historical Map of Asia

How are these renderings of the human form different?

Spear Bearer, Classical Greek Sculpture 5th century

Male Torso. Harrappa, Indus Valley C. 2400-2000 B.C.E.

Although most Indians today are Hindu, Buddhism dominated the formative years of Indian Art and influenced other areas of Asia.

• Here we see the evolution of Buddhist architecture – A merging of the Indian Stupa and the traditional Chinese watchtower, to the Japanese pagoda. Page 273

What are the 4 Noble Truths of Buddhism?

1) Existence is full of suffering. 2) The cause of suffering is desire.3) To eliminate suffering, one must eliminate

desire.4) To eliminate desire, one must follow the

moral code of the Eightfold Path, which regulates speech, thought and action.

What is a stupa? Give an example of a stupa and what it was used for.

Great Stupa, Sanchi, India 10 B.C.E. – 15 c.e.

The Ganhara Style

Alexander the Great’s conquest of parts of West Asia caused an artistic fusion of Western styles with Eastern styles.

Here the sculptor shows knowledge of the realism of Roman portraiture, as well as the classical Greek method of revealing a subject’s body under clothing. Page 274

This sculpture depicts a bodhisattva, a person who is on the point of achieving enlightenment but delays this in order to stay on earth. They are typically depicted wearing rich garments and jewels. Page 274

Gupta Style

Gupta style combines native Indian styles with the naturalism of the Gandhara. Standing Buddha is a good example of this style.

When we say that the figure is “idealized,” what do we mean? How is buddha’s dress and hair style symbolic of his teaching?

He is also shown in meditation (contrasting the Western styles of God and Christ as active beings). Page 274

Who are the three principle gods of Hindu art?

Which god is the the most revered in art and architecture?

Compare and contrast the portrayal of Shiva (Shiva Nataraja, Shiva as King of Dance) with Krishna (The Approach of Krishna).

What do the different ways they are shown have to do with their functions as gods?

What three traditions characterized ancient Chinese

civilization?

1A) Tao te Ching

2B) Confucius

3C) Qin Shihuangdi

4D) Huai-Su

5E) Wang Xizhi

In whose tomb were the Terra Cotta Warriors found?

Explain the concept of qi and give an example of how it relates to Chinese art?

Page 284

The Mirror with XiwangmuBronzeChinaEarly 6th dynasty period

What is the role of calligraphy in traditional arts of Asia?

Huai-su Detail of AutobiographyTang dynasty 7-10th centuryInk on paper

The Northern Song Dynasty

Most Chinese landscapes rendered no specific place. They typically drew from memory, working with atmospheric perspective. The intention was to capture the spirit of nature.

The Northern Song paintings were monumental and philosophical. They wanted to capture the more powerful aspects of nature

Fan KuanTravelers Among Mountains and streamsHanging Scroll. Ink on silk

Who are the literati painters? Describe one of their innovations in brushwork and subject matter.

Wu Chen Album LeafInk on Paper1350

Who is “one corner Ma”? Why was

he called this? (right) Ma YuanWatching the Deer by a Pine-Shaded StreamSouthern Song dynasty ink on silk

A painter of the Southern Song dynasty, more intimate and personal landscapes.

What techniques or materials did Chinese potters use to fill in etched

surface decoration?

Wine PitcherKoryo dynastyKoreamid 12th centuryStoneware

Briefly describe how the Shinto religion relates to architecture.

Main ShrineIse, Japan c 685Rebuilt every20 years

What are three features of Japanese painting?

• Hand Scroll• Hanging Scroll• Folding Screen

Handscroll The scroll is unrolled and the story is viewed typically from left to right.

Night Attack on the Sanjo Palace ink and colors on paper c. 1208

The Hanging Scroll

Sesshu ToyoHaboku, Splashed Ink Landscape1400sInk on paper

This artist painted in a simple, explosive style called “hoboku” meaning flung ink.

Folding ScreenProvided privacy by separating areas within rooms. A painted screen within the living space becomes a major element in the interior.

Tawaraya Sotatsu’s Waves at Matsushima were painted so that they can function artworks on their own or together. The subject is a pair of islands where there were Shinto Shrines.

Tawaraya SotatsuWaves at Matsusima 17th cent. Ink, color, gold, silver on paper

Woodblock PrintsJapanese artists took the Chinese woodcut technique and turned it into a popular art form.

Hundreds of thousands of these prints were produced, called “ukiyo-e” meaning pictures of the floating world. Depicting everyday life.

These artists used flat shapes emphasized by the lack of shading. This cropped composition was an element that influenced European artists in the 19th century.

Kitagawa UtamaroReflected Beauty, Sven Beauties Applying Make-up: Okita c 1790

A) Texture

B) Absence of shading

C) Lack of color

4) Pattern

5) Complementary colors

How does the artist Kitagawa Utamaro emphasize flat shapes in his Reflected Beauty, Seven Beauties Applying Make-Up (fig. 438)?