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