🧑🏻‍🎨East Asian Art and Civilization Unit 15 – East Asian Modern Art

Key Concepts and Themes

• Modernism in East Asian art marked a significant departure from traditional styles and techniques
• Artists sought to create a new visual language that reflected the rapidly changing social, political, and cultural landscape of the early 20th century
• Experimentation with Western art forms (oil painting, sculpture) while maintaining distinct cultural identities
• Exploration of individualism and self-expression in contrast to the collective values of traditional East Asian societies
• Tension between tradition and modernity as artists grappled with the challenges of modernization and Westernization
  • Some artists sought to preserve and revitalize traditional art forms
  • Others embraced Western techniques and styles to create a new, hybrid aesthetic
• Nationalism and the search for a modern national identity played a significant role in shaping the development of East Asian modern art
• Social and political commentary became increasingly important as artists responded to the turbulent events of the 20th century (wars, revolutions, social upheavals)

Historical Context

• East Asian modern art emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as the region underwent rapid modernization and Westernization
• The Meiji Restoration in Japan (1868) and the fall of the Qing Dynasty in China (1911) marked significant turning points in the region's history
• Increased contact with the West through trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange exposed East Asian artists to new ideas and artistic movements
• The rise of nationalism and anti-colonial movements in the early 20th century shaped the political and cultural landscape of the region
• World War I and the Russian Revolution had a profound impact on East Asian intellectuals and artists, sparking interest in socialist and communist ideologies
• The Japanese invasion of China in the 1930s and the subsequent World War II had a devastating impact on the region, disrupting artistic production and cultural exchange
• The post-war period saw the emergence of new nation-states and the rise of the Cold War, which further influenced the development of East Asian modern art

Major Artists and Movements

• Japan:
  • Kuroda Seiki (1866-1924): Pioneer of Western-style oil painting in Japan; known for his portraits and landscapes
  • Taisho Era (1912-1926) artists: Experimented with Western avant-garde movements (Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism)
  • Murayama Tomoyoshi (1901-1977): Founder of the Mavo group; promoted avant-garde and politically engaged art
  • Gutai group (1954-1972): Pioneered performance art and installation; emphasized materiality and process
• China:
  • Xu Beihong (1895-1953): Pioneered the use of Western techniques in Chinese painting; known for his ink paintings of horses and figures
  • Lin Fengmian (1900-1991): Blended Chinese and Western styles; known for his expressive and colorful paintings
  • Zao Wou-Ki (1920-2013): Abstract painter who synthesized Chinese and Western aesthetics; part of the Lyrical Abstraction movement
  • '85 New Wave: Avant-garde movement that emerged in the post-Mao era; emphasized individual expression and experimentation
• Korea:
  • Ko Hui-dong (1886-1965): Pioneer of Western-style oil painting in Korea; known for his landscapes and portraits
  • Kim Whanki (1913-1974): Abstract painter who blended Eastern and Western aesthetics; part of the Informel movement
  • Dansaekhwa (monochrome painting) movement: Emphasized materiality, process, and spirituality; emerged in the 1970s

Stylistic Innovations

• Adoption of Western techniques and materials (oil painting, sculpture, printmaking) while maintaining distinct cultural identities
• Experimentation with avant-garde styles (Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism, Surrealism) to create new, hybrid aesthetics
• Synthesis of Eastern and Western aesthetics, combining traditional techniques (ink painting, calligraphy) with modern forms and styles
• Emphasis on abstraction and non-representational art as a means of expressing individual emotions and spiritual values
  • Influenced by traditional East Asian philosophies (Buddhism, Taoism) and Western abstract art movements
• Exploration of new media and techniques (performance art, installation, video art) to challenge traditional boundaries between art and life
• Development of distinctive regional styles and movements that reflected local cultural, social, and political contexts
  • Examples: Gutai group in Japan, '85 New Wave in China, Dansaekhwa movement in Korea
• Increased attention to materiality and process, emphasizing the physical properties of the artwork and the act of creation itself

Cultural and Social Influences

• Rapid modernization and Westernization in the late 19th and early 20th centuries led to a reevaluation of traditional cultural values and artistic practices
• Rise of nationalism and anti-colonial movements in the early 20th century shaped the development of modern art as a means of asserting cultural identity and political resistance
• Influence of socialist and communist ideologies on artists' social and political engagement, particularly in China and Japan
• Impact of wars, revolutions, and social upheavals on artists' subject matter and approach to art-making
  • Examples: Japanese invasion of China, World War II, Korean War, Cultural Revolution in China
• Changing gender roles and the emergence of women artists who challenged traditional social norms and expectations
• Urbanization and the growth of modern cities as a source of inspiration and subject matter for artists
• Influence of popular culture, mass media, and consumerism on artistic production and reception
• Tension between tradition and modernity as artists grappled with the challenges of preserving cultural heritage while embracing new forms and ideas

Western Impact and Cross-Cultural Exchange

• Increased exposure to Western art through trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
• Study abroad programs and international exhibitions provided opportunities for East Asian artists to learn from and interact with their Western counterparts
  • Examples: Kuroda Seiki studying in France, Xu Beihong studying in Europe
• Influence of Western avant-garde movements (Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism, Surrealism) on East Asian artists' experimentation with new styles and techniques
• Collaborations and exchanges between East Asian and Western artists, particularly in the post-war period
  • Example: Gutai group's interactions with American and European artists in the 1950s and 1960s
• Western collectors' and institutions' interest in East Asian modern art, leading to increased international recognition and market demand
• Critique and resistance to Western cultural hegemony as East Asian artists sought to assert their own cultural identities and artistic autonomy
• Ongoing dialogue and mutual influence between East Asian and Western art in the contemporary era, reflecting the increasingly globalized nature of the art world

Notable Works and Their Significance

• Kuroda Seiki's "Lakeside" (1897): One of the first Western-style oil paintings by a Japanese artist; marked a turning point in the development of modern art in Japan
• Xu Beihong's "Tian Heng and His Five Hundred Followers" (1928-1930): Monumental ink painting that blended Chinese and Western techniques; celebrated as a masterpiece of modern Chinese art
• Murayama Tomoyoshi's "Landscape with a Church" (1920): Early example of avant-garde art in Japan; influenced by Futurism and Constructivism
• Zao Wou-Ki's "Wind" (1954): Abstract painting that synthesized Chinese and Western aesthetics; part of the Lyrical Abstraction movement
• Gutai group's "Gutai Art Using the Stage" (1957): Pioneering performance art piece that emphasized the body and the act of creation
• Kim Whanki's "Mountains" (1968): Abstract painting that blended Eastern and Western aesthetics; part of the Informel movement
• Dansaekhwa works by artists such as Park Seo-Bo and Ha Chong-Hyun: Monochromatic paintings that emphasized materiality, process, and spirituality; challenged Western notions of abstract art
• '85 New Wave works by artists such as Huang Yong Ping and Gu Wenda: Avant-garde installations and performances that critiqued Chinese society and politics in the post-Mao era

Legacy and Contemporary Relevance

• East Asian modern art laid the foundation for the development of contemporary art in the region, paving the way for greater experimentation, diversity, and global recognition
• Influence of East Asian modern art on the global art world, particularly in the areas of abstraction, performance art, and installation
• Ongoing dialogue and exchange between East Asian and Western artists, reflecting the increasingly globalized nature of the art world
• Continued exploration of cultural identity, social commentary, and political resistance in contemporary East Asian art
  • Examples: Ai Weiwei's critiques of Chinese government policies, Chim↑Pom's responses to the Fukushima nuclear disaster
• Reevaluation and reinterpretation of East Asian modern art through exhibitions, scholarship, and public discourse
  • Example: "Art and China after 1989: Theater of the World" exhibition at the Guggenheim Museum (2017-2018)
• Importance of East Asian modern art in understanding the region's cultural, social, and political history in the 20th century
• Relevance of East Asian modern art to contemporary debates around globalization, cultural exchange, and the role of art in society
• Growing market demand and institutional support for East Asian modern and contemporary art, both within the region and internationally
  • Examples: Increasing presence of East Asian artists in major biennials and international exhibitions, record-breaking auction sales for works by East Asian artists