Educators joined us for a discussion of the narratives contained within and beyond a painting, sculpture, or larger artistic program. In this series we explored artistic objects and religious sites by considering the iconographic details, historical context, and larger story told when we examine the function and purpose of each object. These sessions were independent of one another so participants were able to select the ones most relevant to their teaching.
Sessions and Topics
Tuesday, February 24 – 4:00-5:30 pm (PST): Han Dynasty Burials: Funerary Banner of the Lady of Dai
In this session we considered the burial objects from the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE), discussed changing traditions in burial practices, and examined the Funerary Banner of the Lady of Dai (Xin Zhui) and related grave goods.
Tuesday, March 3 – 4:00-5:30 pm (PST): Longmen Cave Complex
This session examined the iconographic influences on the elaborate and expansive rock-cut Longmen Buddhist complex, dating to the Tang Dynasty (618-907). While focusing on the Longmen site, we made iconographic and stylistic connections to other colossal Buddhist sculptural programs.
Tuesday, March 10 – 4:00-5:30 pm (PDT): Night Attack on the Sanjō Palace
This session highlighted the dynamic and dramatic Events of the Heiji Era handscroll. Dating to the Kamakura Period (1185-1333), this handscroll captured the waning moments of the Heian period (794-1185) and conveyed shifting stylistic changes in Japanese handscrolls, which were explored in this session.
Tuesday, March 17 – 4:00-5:30 pm (PDT): Images of the Southern Barbarians
In this session we examined depictions of the “Southern Barbarians” (Namban) in Japanese folding screens of the early 17th century. Through these depictions of foreign visitors, we saw what captured the imagination of Japanese artists who may or may not have had first-hand knowledge of these visitors.
Tuesday, March 24 – 4:00-5:30 pm (PDT): Art of Xu Bing
This session focused on the life and works of Chinese artist Xu Bing (b. 1955). Well known for A Book from the Sky (1987-1991), Xu Bing’s prolific career continued to push artistic boundaries of traditional Chinese art forms while prompting viewers to question what they were seeing and how they experienced and interpreted his work.
All sessions took place online through Zoom.
Program Leaders
This program was led by NCTA leader and art historian Melanie King.
Benefits
Two free WA OSPI clock hours were available for each session attended.
Online Resources
Follow this link for the Padlet with the program resources made by program leader.
This program was sponsored by the East Asia Resource Center at the University of Washington, and funded by a Freeman Foundation grant in support of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia (NCTA).