Ava Carter, Anneli Medina
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?
Portrayals of Plants In East Asian Art
This exhibition displays the nuanced ways plants can be intertwined with Asian Art. From the very beginning of art up until modern day, nature has always been a key aspect, and we wanted to explore that more through this exhibition. We specifically choose to focus on the flora of the scenes because they are often the most prominent. Plants in East Asian art serve as a multifaceted lens through which to explore the core question of “What is Asian Art?” By examining the cultural diversity, and artistic techniques inherent in the portrayal of nature, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between culture, creativity, and the natural world in Asian artistic traditions. Artists across Asia have developed unique methods for capturing the beauty and essence of the natural world. By studying these techniques and mediums, we can gain an appreciation for the technical skill, craftsmanship, and artistic innovation in Asian art forms.
Asian art frequently celebrates and appreciates the beauty of nature and specifically plants. Landscape paintings, such as those found in traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean art, often display encapsulating beautiful gardens, tranquil forests, and peaceful landscapes incorporating various plants and flowers. Many Asian artworks depict plants according to the seasons, reflecting the many cycles of nature and their relation to time passing. The portrayal of plants in East Asian art reflects a deep celebration of nature and a connection to cultural traditions and beliefs found in the natural world.
For this exhibition we chose a specific timeline, to show how East Asian Art has evolved over time, from well before the 15th century to modern day, and how throughout this time even as technology has advanced, the importance of plants to humans (and vice versa) has remained the same. Whether Asian artists are working with materials sourced from nature, such as ink, paper, silk, wood, and clay, or deriving their inspiration from landscapes, Asian Art often has strong ties to nature due to many different cultural, philosophical, and aesthetic influences.
“The Astor Chinese Court”
Artist: Unknown
Date/period: 17th century, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Culture/location: China
Medium: Architecture, Taihu rocks, granite terrace, ceramic tile flooring, roof tiles, and door frames, various woods (nan wood columns, pine beams, gingko latticework), brass fittings
Source: The Met
One of the most striking features of the Astor Chinese Court is its use of natural materials, including wood, stone, and bamboo, which are carefully crafted and arranged to create a sense of organic tranquility. The room is also filled with lush greenery, such as plants and small trees, further enhancing the connection to the natural world. In this room nature is depicted with meticulous attention to detail, capturing the beauty and serenity of landscapes, flora, and fauna. The artifacts within the Astor Chinese Court are thoughtfully arranged in a delicately curated manner to highlight their beauty and significance. The objects seem to be organized in a way that shows off the ample space between each item to allow for deep contemplation and appreciation.
“Ejiri in Suruga Province”
Artist: Katsushika Hokusai
Date/period: ca. 1830–32, Edo period (1615–1868)
Culture/location: Japan
Medium: Woodblock print; ink and color on paper
Source: The Met
In this print nature is depicted as majestic with mount fuji commanding the background as a symbol of strength. One notable aspect of Hokusai’s depiction of nature is his use of perspective and composition to create a sense of depth. Hokusai skillfully captures the conditions of the scene, using subtle gradations of color and shading to convey the changing light. The intricate brush strokes that make up the grass, showcase how much care went into the piece. The blades of glass portray nature and specifically plants in an extremely delicate and even peaceful way.
“I Spent Each Day Embracing Flowers”
(Creator: Yayoi Kusama)
Material: Stainless Steel and urethane paint
(Size: 98 x 111 x 106 inches)
Date/period: (2023)
Culture/Location: Japan
Source: The Observer
The dynamic and colorful flowers display nature in a way that is very different from the other art pieces we have looked at so far. The flowers twisted stems and exaggerated elements create an almost hypnotic feel. The scale of the piece, as well as the aggressively loud colors all come together to create something monstrous yet youthful and fun. Kusama is known for creating installations that play with natural environments and catch the audience’s attention. “I Spent Each Day Embracing Flowers” invites viewers to step into a world filled with flowers on a larger scale, offering them an experience that stimulates the audience when taking in the artwork. Kusama’s art is deeply intertwined with her own experiences of battling mental illness as she used her artmaking as a form of therapy. The act of embracing flowers and plants symbolizes a certain form of self soothing for the artist, allowing her to find comfort and peace in the natural world of flowers, plants and nature in general.
Bibliography:
- “The Metropolitan Museum of Art”The Metropolitan Museum of Art https://www.metmuseum.org/,
- Asian Society, 1956, https://asiasociety.org/,
- https://mymodernmet.com/ceramic-vessels-heesoo-lee/
- https://hypemuseum.jp/products/dandelions-yayoi-kusama
- “Korean Ceramics.” Google Books. Accessed April 30, 2024. https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=KNCECgAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT6&dq=nature%2Bthrough%2Basian%2Bceramics%2B&ots=4zBQZCWT-S&sig=Hzszs55ykevly8R_S2Nx6q3kO-g#v=onepage&q=nature%20through%20asian%20ceramics&f=false.
- “Oneness: Nature & Connectivity in Chinese Art.” Philadelphia Museum of Art. Accessed April 30, 2024. https://philamuseum.org/calendar/exhibition/oneness-nature-connectivity-in-chinese-art.
- https://fordhamobserver.com/73563/recent/arts-and-culture/kusamas-newest-exhibition-i-spent-each-day-embracing-flowers-opens-in-chelsea/