106. Art in East Asia II
The course examines the art and architecture of China, the Japanese archipelago and the Korean peninsula. Lectures will survey East Asian art chronologically and thematically, from the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279) in China, the Heian Period (794 - 1185) in Japan, and the Koryo Dynasty (918 - 1392) in Korea, through recent developments. We will examine both canonical works of art and architecture, as well as popular visual culture and "folk" art production. We will be concerned throughout with issues pertinent to the broader study of visual and material culture, including the meaning(s) expressed by or derived from objects and images; transnational influences and cultural hybridity in art production; the artistic contributions of regional and ethnic minorities and women; material and visual culture as a reflection of and legitimation for social stratification; art as a forum for social protest and change; issues of style and artistic intent; the interplay between material, visual, and performative art forms; and the relationship between art and cultural identity.
(Sean McPherson)