pacific rim & ancient cultures history and appreciation of the visual and performing arts
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Pacific Rim & Ancient Cultures
History and Appreciation of the Visual and Performing Arts
Pacific Rim
ChinaJapanIndiaMalaysia
Chinese Culture
One of the oldest cultures in all of world history
Has existed for thousands of years basically unchanged
Outlook is in centuries, not decades
Chinese Art
The basis of the work is the philosophy of “Dao” or “Tao”
This is the belief that all things have a spirit or “Ch’i”
This includes animals, plants, landform & weather
Chinese Art
Art for the Chinese means:
“A picture is a voiceless poem, a poem is a vocal picture”
Calligraphy (writing) is often included in the work
Famous Works - Ceramics
The Great Wall
Terra Cotta Army
Scroll Painting
Architecture
India – Indian Culture
Also one of the oldest surviving cultures of the world
Strong influence of the Hindu religion and belief in reincarnation
Focus on “Santi”: Peace and Tranquility
Indian Art
Reflects HinduismImages of Gods
play an important role
Focus on domes and rounded objects along with emphasis on line
Architecture - Stupa
A burial mound used much like those of Native Americans and ancient Egyptians
Built to hold the body and important artifacts from the person’s life
Stupa vs. Pyramid
Famous Works – Shiva Nataraja
Taj Mahal
Japan – Japanese Culture
Focus on discipline and honor
Striving for “Zen” or balance in life
Strong work ethic, commitment to excellence
Great refiners, not creators
Japanese Art
Painting was the preferred artistic expression
Well defined painting techniques
Sculpture is religious in natureArchitecture points always
upwardsWood carvings finest in the
world
Famous Works - Pagoda
Sculpture – The Great Budda
Woodblock Print
Japanese Drama
Japanese audiences love fantasy
Realism in story is avoided
Movement is large and overdone – so is vocal quality
Performances last all day in festivals showing different types of stories
Noh
Oldest form of Japanese drama
Originally performed for the Samurai class
Masks are wornActors all menLittle stage decorationMovement is slow &
largeUses music in
background
Noh Masks
Kabuki
Developed after NohDesigned for the middle
and lower classesStages more elaborateLarge elaborate
costumesMake-up used in place
of masksAll actors are still men
Kabuki Costumes
Kabuki Make-up
Designs are made to show character qualities
Different colors mean different things
White powder and wigs draw attention to the lines of the mask
Many actors play the same characters their whole career
Kabuki Colors
Deep Red/AngerRed/PassionPink/CheerfulnessLight Blue/Calmness Indigo/GloominessLight Green/TranquilityPurple/NobilityBrown/SelfishnessBlack/Fear or Gloom
The Process
The Most Famous Kabuki Act