porcelain presentation
DESCRIPTION
China’s “China”: Understanding Decorative Motifs on Chinese PorcelainTRANSCRIPT
CHINA’S “CHINA”: UNDERSTANDING DECORATIVE MOTIFSON CHINESE PORCELAIN
- Various sizes of paper Chinet classic white dinner plates and
bowls- Non-toxic blue Crayola markers
(red can also be used)- Bamboo calligraphy brushes
- Water- Construction paper (if stencils
will be designed and used)- Scissors (if stencils will be
designed and used
Materials Necessary:
Process:Begin by having the students review China Institute’s online resource collection “China’s ‘China’: Porcelain’s Contribution to World History and Culture” (available at www.China360online.org)
Then, have the teacher explain that students will be drawing their own blue-and-white (or red) designs onto a plate and/or bowl to get an appreciation of what is significant about various motifs on Chinese porcelains.
Process Pt 2:
Students should then review various motifs online at:-The National Palace Museum site “New Era of Ornamentation: 1350-1521” (http://www.npm.gov.tw/exh95/ming/exhibition_en/en.html)- The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s online thematic essay “East and West: Chinese Export Porcelain” (http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/ewpor/hd_ewpor.htm)
-Alternatively, teachers could print out examples for students to refer to as they draw their own copy.
Process Pt 3:
-Then, the teacher should distribute the paper plates, bowls, and the Crayola marker.
-The class can opt to first draw a stencil version of motifs (i.e. a bat) or chose to draw free hand.
- Students should also have access to bamboo calligraphy brushes and a cup of water in order to wash the blue ink into the plate/bowl to create a more textured approach.
- Students should be encouraged to think about
- The dominant motif (or motifs) in their design
- The symmetrical border designs - How to balance the use of color while
still retaining the field of white in the back-ground