Recent Posts

Nature in Japanese Art: A Reflection on Beauty and Climate Change

Introduction The depiction of the natural world in Japanese art is a profound and evocative subject that offers deep insights…

Posted in Bibliography Connecticut College

Fearsome Protector Deities

What is a fearsome protector? A fearsome protector deity embodies a formidable force, a divine presence revered for its power…

Posted in Exhibition

Wrath in Buddhist Art

Wrath as a concept occupies a complex niche in the realm of religion, and as such manifests in a number…

Asian Art and Politics

Research Question : How does asian art correlate with political events in asian history? Mansu Grand Monument Creator : Mansudae…

Posted in Uncategorized

Jade’s Translucency Through Time

Written by Marcos Villa Marin Jade holds an eminent place in the rich tapestry of Chinese culture, woven deep into…

Asian Trade and Art Nouveau

What is Art Nouveau? Art Nouveau was an art movement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, inspired by…

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Portrayals of Plants in East Asian Art

How are plants depicted through different mediums in East Asian Art How do Asian artists explore the connection between the natural world and humanity through their work? This exhibition displays the nuanced ways plants can be intertwined with Asian Art.

Posted in Connecticut College Image

Chinese Imperial Southern Inspection Tours through Handscrolls

How did illustrated handscrolls act as formal documentation of events and as an expression of imperial power during China’s Qing Dynasty?

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Feng Shui

Overview I have put the order of examples in a chronological order of how feng shui was first traditionally used…

Religious structure through the eastern and western gaze

Written By: Momo Otieno and Luckmann Pierre Religious structures and temples worldwide testify to the cultures and deities they represent….

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Xu Bing, Art as a Language

Research Questions & Significance In our contemporary age, where cultural and artistic exchange has been redefined in a post industrialist…

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Exploring the Architectural Legacy of the 2008 Olympic Games

Introduction The Olympics is a world-renowned sporting event that has been taking place over 3,000 years. Every two years, the…

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Chinese Courtyard Houses Across Cultures: Comparing the Cultural and the Physical

By Cooper Voss Starting in the Yuan dynasty, the courtyard house was one of the first and most notable structures….

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Depictions of the Buddha throughout Different Cultures and Time Periods

Brooke McLoughlin Introduction The research question that I discussed during my exploration for my final project was how the depiction…

Posted in Editor's Pick

Cultural Symbolism in Chinese Armors

Amidst the chaos of battle and the clashing of steel, for a long history the Chinese armors stand not only…

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How does Chinese Confucianism architectural design develop to the environment leading to a more sustainable framework?

Confucianism has many intentional and unintentional impacts on Chinese architecture sustainability. Throughout this paper I hope to show the parallels…

Beijing Olympic Architecture

By: Rylie Griffith and Maeve Corcoran Water Cube Exterior Beijing National Aquatics Center | Also known as “Water Cube… |…

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Exploring the Influences of Chinese Culture on Modern Architecture in China

Incorporating contemporary elements into traditional architecture allows for a blend of the past and present, preserving historical significance while adapting…

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Islamic art in Indonesia

By Griffin Stead and Miles McFarlane When one thinks of the Muslim World, Islamic strongholds which come to mind typically…

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The Architectural Evolution of Buddhist Monasteries: A Contemporary Exploration

Introduction Concepts and ideas are of the most malleable human inventions. Nothing stays the same over time; new forests grow…

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Japanese Urbanization in Hiroshige’s Ukiyo-e Prints: Rainy Landscapes During the Edo Period

How did the rain depiction in Utagawa Hiroshige’s ukiyo-e prints reflect the rapid urbanization and changing sense of place in…

Posted in Editor's Pick Essay

Ai Weiwei

This publication will delve into Ai Weiwei and his influence on Chinese art and architecture. In my junior year of…

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Depictions of Musical Instruments in Chinese Visual Arts: An Evolutionary Perspective

Introduction Musical instruments have long been depicted in Chinese visual arts such as painting, sculpture, and reliefs. This semester, I…

Posted in Editor's Pick

Power and Community in Traditional Chinese Dress

Though we might overlook the clothes we wear as just a part of everyday life, they hold great power over…

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The Phenomenon of the Megacity: Rapid Chinese Urbanization and its Artistic Representation

A defining aspect of the globalized 21st century, modern cities reflect the world around us, constructing a built environment within…

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Beyond Concrete: Artistic Reflections on Beijing China’s Evolving Urban Landscape

By: Ramon Carrillo Martinez Historical Context During the period of 1949-1976 Mao Zedong was the communist leader of the People’s…

Posted in Editor's Pick

Status in Chinese Textiles: Qing Dynasty Rank Badges

Chinese rank badges were woven or embroidered emblems that indicated the rank and status of Chinese officials. The utilization of…

Posted in Editor's Pick

The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg

Art is a powerful tool and a dangerous weapon. It gives voice to experiential truth, shaped by the social reality…

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Chinese Art vs. Chinoiserie

By: Grace Schmidt Research Questions: What does Chinoiserie get right and wrong in its imitation of Chinese art? How does…

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Exploring Feng Shui: Harnessing the Elements of Space for the Human Condition

Introduction The spaces we inhabit hold profound significance, shaping not only physical surroundings but also our inner worlds. In an…

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Guardians of Immortality: Unveiling the Legacy of Qin Shi Huang’s Terracotta Army -Gianna Sandull & Nina Pellegrino

Introduction:  Located in the mountains of China’s Shaanxi Province lies one of the most important archaeological finds of our time:…

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Ancient Techniques: Dyes & Pigments

How did availability of resources and innovation impact artistic choice in ancient Asian Art? and How did cultural context and…

Posted in Editor's Pick

Torii Gates in Japan and Japanese Religion

By Natalia Hall and Mia Webb What was the original purpose of the torii gate and how has it changed…

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Yixing Teapots

Overview Yixing teapots also known as Zisha teapots are a style of teapot made from zisha clay and are left…

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Hitogami in Japanese Art

As I explored Asian art this semester, I became very interested in handscrolls and portraiture. My curiosity grew when our…

Posted in Editor's Pick

Japanese Dry Gardens and the Stories They Tell in the West

The art of Japanese dry gardens, known as karesansui, transcends mere landscaping; it embodies a profound narrative deeply rooted in…

Posted in Essay

Religious Narrative Along the Silk Road

The Cult of Bacchus (Dionysus), also known as the Villa of Mysteries–is a large-scale mural with scenes believed to be…

Posted in Editor's Pick

Hokusai’s The Great Wave

By Miranda Ma and Miya Lasher The Great Wave created by Hokusai is one of the most famous art pieces…

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The Herber R. Bishop Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art: Transparently Acknowledging Looted Jade From The Old Summer Palace In China

Around the late 18th century, a high demand for Chinese goods, like tea, silk, and porcelain, resulted in a trade…

Old Summer Palace Zodiac Bronze Heads
Posted in Editor's Pick Uncategorized

Repatriation of Chinese Art and Artifacts: The Return of Traditional Chinese Culture

The repatriation of stolen art or objects without clear ownership history is an ongoing issue in modern museum studies which…

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Global Pagodas: The Pagoda’s Historic and Modern Global Integration

By Ryan Mach and Eva Ross Introduction  Buddhism originated in India through the 5th Century B.C.E. following the life of…

Posted in Exhibition

Japan’s Influence on Mexican Candies and Snacks – Néstor Hernández

Bibliography Sergio Hernández Galindo, E. N. S. / T. by K. M. / 31 A. 2018. (n.d.). Japanese peanuts, a…

Posted in Exhibition

Ghosts, Demons, and Spirits: The Depiction of Supernatural Beings in Japanese 2D Art

Introduction/Overview: From Hollows in Bleach, curses in Jujutsu Kaisen, to human-eating demons in Demon Slayer, Japanese 2D art in the…

Posted in Exhibition

Defining Japan-ness & The Concept Of Nature Within Japanese Architecture

My goal in this project was to find the connection between nature and “Japan-ness” and how that connection is exhibited…

Posted in Exhibition

Japanese Gardens Support Well-Being

I am invested in ideas related to biophilia, our innate love of nature, especially when applied to design. The research…

Posted in Exhibition

Modern Sculpture in Post World War II Japan

The violence and destruction of World War II in Japan had a profound effect on the country for many decades…

Posted in Exhibition

Representations of Traditional and Modern Japanese Architecture in Anime

By Marcos Villa Marin Throughout this publication I will be answering, What are the differences and similarities between Traditional and…

Posted in Exhibition

Reshaping Beauty through Japanese Fashion

My research question is: How did Japanese ideals and cultural dress influence modern fashion? This relates to the core question…

Posted in Exhibition

Netsuke: Minature Marvels

Research Question: How can we see Netsuke in the past, present, and future of “Japaness”? This question relates to the…

Posted in Exhibition

The Catalyst between Traditional and Contemporary Ceramics in Japan

By: Lauren Cecconello Overview This project aims to find the significant changes in Japanese ceramics from the traditional to the…