Oriental Languages and Cultures

Art and Archaeology of China and Japan

Course objectives

The course aims at making students acquire a deeper knowledge and understanding of the research trends in Chinese/Japanese archaeology and art history, through the study of selected key-sites and the analysis of relevant art forms. Through critical reading of the selected texts for this class and active participation in discussion, students will develop knowledge of the technical, stylistic and formal aspects of many artworks, acquiring familiarity with a large number of visual images of painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts. My objective is for the students to leave the course with an understanding of East Asian visual culture and aesthetics, and an increasingly refined ability to read critically. They are expected to learn visual skills in recognizing styles of art and different iconographies, in analyzing subject matter, consumption and reception patterns, so that links among the different East Asian artistic traditions will become evident. They will also learn analytical skills in connecting artwork with its social, religious and political context. Last, through practice carried on in class (requiring the application of information and concepts from the readings and lectures to simulated working environments) students will acquire the ability to develop their critical opinions and judgment, also derived from class lecture, class discussion, and independent study as assigned in two projects (i.e. presentations, papers). Through these projects students will learn how to write properly documented papers while refining their communication skills in expressing ideas about art historical concepts. Both readings and lectures will deliberately confront students with different and conflicting points of view, challenging them to make up their own minds. Thus, students acquire the necessary learning skills to carry on further studies independently

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GIUSEPPINA AURORA TESTA Lecturers' profile

Program - Frequency - Exams

Course program

This course will trace the development of sculptural art in East Asia (China, Korea and Japan) from prehistoric through modern times within its historical and philosophical contexts. Issues of examination will include the themes, styles, techniques and functions of East Asian sculpture, in relation also to other art forms (painting and architecture). Special attention will be given to iconographical analysis, patronage, the influence from India and Central Asia before the formation of national stylistic idioms in China, Korea and Japan, and the continuous introduction of foreign elements. The course will be articulated in three parts: Part I (8 hours): General concepts and geo-historical and philosophical context will be examined. The study will begin with a discussion of issues related to the origin of sculpture in East Asia and its distinctive aesthetics and eclectic development. Part II (24 hours)- In-depth analysis of the stylistic features of many religious and secular sculptures, and leading artists, through different ages. Part III (10 hours): The remaining time will be devoted to classroom practice (in describing and analyzing art) and presentation, and to a museum visit, if possible.

Prerequisites

Knowledge of the Italian language (at least at B2 level), and good knowledge of English. The course will be taught in Italian. The course assumes some familiarity with the basic concepts of either the history or the art of China or Japan.

Books

For Cina: Li Song, Wu Hong, Yang Hong, and Angela Falco Howard (eds.), Chinese Sculpture, Yale University Press, 2006. This text for the course will serve as a historical and artistic guide for the iconography of sculptural art in China. Supplementary readings regarding Japanese and Korean sculpture will be available in PDF format through E-learning at the beginning of classes.

Teaching mode

Lectures will provide the primary visual and intellectual content of the course. This class emphasizes visual literacy. Stylistic analysis of images and contextual interpretation of images will be the main focus of the training.

Frequency

Students will be highly encouraged to raise questions and share ideas, and to engage independently with the subject matter by preparing brief group presentations on selected topics as the semester progresses, in order to develop their critical opinion and communication skills, and promote discussion (that will include comparison and contrast of the different East Asian artistic expressions). Through classroom practice they will also learn to apply the knowledge and understanding acquired from texts and lectures to simulated working environments. Museum visits will help them familiarize with the material.

Exam mode

Midterm presentation (optional) for attending students. Final oral exam that aims at evaluating the student’s level of knowledge and understanding expected at the end of the course. A typical oral exam consists of slide identification of artifacts (and understanding of their proper social, historic and philosophical context), definition of proper names and terms, and open questions on art-historical concepts. The minimum grade for passing the exam is 18/30. Students should demonstrate sufficient familiarity with the artworks and concepts introduced in class, as well as facts and issues introduced in the textbook, and have a general idea of the political and social changes that might parallel the development of art forms. They should have the ability to express themselves in good Italian. To get the highest passing grade (30/30 cum laude), students should demonstrate an excellent knowledge and understanding of all the artworks and concepts introduced in class, as well as facts and issues introduced in the textbook, being also able to express those concepts in a logical and coherent way.

Bibliography

Supplementary readings will be available in PDF format through E-learning at the beginning of classes.

Lesson mode