Courses
VART3126 Chinese Seal Engraving: The Expressive Identity (3 units)
- Prerequisite:
- VART 2126 Chinese Word as Image: Foundational Studies in Chinese Calligraphy and Seal Engraving or (VART2417 Chinese Calligraphy: Seal and Clerical Scripts and VART2425 Chinese Calligraphy: Standard and Semi-cursive Scripts) or (VART2426 Chinese Seal Engraving: Seals with Chinese Characters and VART2427 Chinese Seal Engraving: Pictorial Seals and New Materials)
- Medium of Instruction:
- English
Seal engraving (zhuanke 篆刻 ) is a highly developed yet much understudied form of Chinese art. Few people have any idea how to appreciate the beauty of a seal's (yinzhang 印章 ) imprinted image, let alone grasp the subtlety of these aesthetic objects. More than simply tools used to imprint one's presence (commonly authorship and ownership) on a painting or work of calligraphy, seals are carefully design works of art that express a variety of cultural and personal values.
This course consists of three parts: (1) study of the theoretical and historical aspects of seal engraving; (2) the practical study of styles and carving techniques; and (3) a hands-on studio art project. Students will be introduced to related topics as social functions of the seal, transformation of seal styles, relationships between the seal and other arts of China, appreciating the seal and its imprint as aesthetic objects, and the seal as a vehicle for expressing self-image and identity. After a vigorous analysis of styles and compositional types, the class will learn the techniques of seal engraving through demonstrations and guided practice. The course culminates in the creative project where by students will carve their own personal seals that convey through their design of character seals (wenzi yin 文字印 ) and pictorial seals (tuxiang yin 圖像印 ), an expression of their self-image or identity.
Seal engraving is an integral form of Chinese art and visual culture. The course not only informs students about traditional Chinese culture, but also challenges them to invigorate the national heritage to express their contemporary thoughts and life. Students will develop independent thinking and problemsolving skills and express creativity as part of the process for creating seals. This course is intended to cultivate a synergy with all other courses of Chinese art history, Chinese painting, Chinese calligraphy, typography, jewellery design, and some aspects of sculpture.
While English is the major medium of instruction of this course, occasionally Chinese will be used in the teaching of materials and texts related to Chinese arts.