East Asian Art: Culture and Digital Creation

Catalog description

This course invites students to explore cross-cultural connections between art and society across East Asia, focusing on masterpieces of Chinese ink brush painting, Japanese woodblock prints, and Korean ceramics drawn from museum collections and cultural heritage sites. Students will examine these works through ideas of harmony with nature, the philosophical influences of Confucianism and Buddhism, and distinctive artistic traditions and techniques. Through hands-on practice and a step-by-step approach, students will experiment with redesigning these masterpieces to create new physical or digital artworks for contemporary products, design, and media in global markets. Students will also use digital tools such as StoryMap, immersive displays, and digital archives to connect historical masterpieces with today's audiences. Classes include lectures, discussions, hands-on practice, group presentations, and final projects featuring redesigned East Asian-inspired artworks. The course is taught in English, no prerequisites, no prior language background or art experience expected, and is open to students from all disciplines.